Remembrance Day Advance Poppy Sales

Ken Kunkel (Photo credit: GoFundMe)

"[My father is now] non-ambulatory and fighting to return to a normal life after being attacked … while intervening to prevent further assaults against his cadets. Captain Kenneth Kunkel is the commanding officer of 826 Gryphon Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets and is responsible for the safety and well being of the teenage cadets who were volunteering their time to raise funds for The Royal Canadian Legion; after violent preteens assaulted two cadets and discharged an airhorn in their ears, Captain Kenneth Kunkel went to the scene to de-escalate and ensure the police could apprehend the duo."

"[A 48-year old woman has been arrested. She] intervened and attacked him – impacting his spine which caused his legs to buckle and immediately lose function. This was all captured by CCTV at the restaurant."

 "[My father] received same-day spinal surgery and is undergoing rehabilitation to restore mobility, but the damage is severe, and he cannot walk for the foreseeable future."

"After an unforgettable Halloween evening where Captain Kenneth Kunkel walked his four grandchildren around the neighbourhood to visit friends and neighbours, we are decimated by the senseless attack that may have forever robbed four kids of their grandfather’s playful, loving tendencies."

"I want to thank all of the detectives and police personnel who responded to my father’s assault and wish all Veterans and current Service Members a memorable and peaceful Remembrance Day."

"Captain Kenneth Kunkel has been helping cadets for almost twenty years, and he was instrumental in my journey through the cadet program that led to my own military service in the Regular Forces. Even as he got older, Captain Kenneth Kunkel would physically prepare for weeks in advance so he could train with cadets and be a role model as they underwent fitness evaluations as part of the cadet program; the selfless efforts of Captain Kenneth Kunkel contributed to many of his past cadets joining police services, the RCMP, a rewarding career in the military, or heightened involvement in their community."

Christopher Kunkel 

Capt. Kenneth Kunkel, wife Shelly and two of four grandchildren. Photo supplied Christopher Kunkel

Captain Ken Kunkel, a 59-year-old Air Cadet commander in Hamilton, Ontario, a dedicated community volunteer who has been involved with the Air Cadets for the past two decades. was present as an adult supporter to two young air cadets out on Sunday, November 1st, in advance of November 11th's traditional day of remembrance. Around midday, two youths approached the two young Air Cadets stationed in front of a restaurant, and blew an air horn into their ears. 

 

That unexpected and startling attack saw the youths swiftly decamp, Captain Kunkel following close after, with the intention of speaking to the young malefactors, to impress on them the inappropriateness of such an assault on other young people who were engaged in a responsible act of commemoration leading up to Remembrance Day. As they fled into the restaurant, Captain Kunkel followed them. As he approached the two pre-adolescents a woman sitting nearby unobtrusively but dangerously, suddenly reached out her leg to trip Captain Kunkel.

 

Estela Quintanilla, 48, and a 12-year-old boy allegedly attacked cadet leader, Capt. Kenneth Kunkal, 59, in Hamilton on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (LinkedIn)

 

Identified as 48-year-old Estela Quintanilla, her deliberate obstructive move resulted in Captain Kunkel falling abruptly and awkwardly to the floor -- in the process his spine suffered an injury serious enough to make his legs non-functional. He was  unable to move. He asked patrons in the restaurant to call for medical assistance. As he lay there seriously injured one of the boys, identified as 12 years of age, repeatedly bludgeoned the helpless man, causing further injury, before both he, his companion, and the woman fled the restaurant. 

 

Both were tracked down by responding police, and arrested. Both were charged with having caused Captain Kunkel's 'life-altering' injuries. While the woman was identified, the identity of the youth cannot be made public under the Youth Criminal Justice Act which ensures that youth under 18 years of age cannot lawfully be publicly identified. 

 

A GoFundMe page was organized by a Kunkel family friend with a total initial goal of $70,000 to aid the family in meeting expenses associated for the father/grandfather facing an uncertain future that includes possible further spinal surgery, a long convalescence at home following a by-necessity extended hospital stay. Taking into account the costs of travel, parking, meals, time taken from work, medication and any medical equipment as may be required as a result of the injuries. 

"I am disgusted by the brutal attack on a Canadian Armed Forces member supervising young cadets selling poppies in Hamilton."

"He stepped in after the cadets were assaulted."

"No child should fear violence while selling a poppy."

"No Canadian should be brutalized for standing up for them."

Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre   

Kimberly Deitrich, is Ken Kunkel’s daughter, has posted photos of Hamilton General Hospital and spinal unit where Kunkel is being treated. (Photo credit: Kimberly Deitrich/Facebook)