Mr. Speaker, Canada's Merchant Navy of World War II suffered losses many times more than the other three services at war.
They braved the enemy's sea To supply Allied war need.
Cold lonely duty, constant targets of an unseen foe No buglers to hail the oncoming enemy blow.
Simply, the sudden shudder of a ship as torpedoes explode Is the only notice of impending doom for the lucky. Lucky because being alive, there is still hope For others, the shudder ushers death.
When the war did end, all were veterans but them. Fifty years have slipped by, yet they still question why They are not veterans in life, but will be in death.
The world owes a great debt to Canada's Merchant Navy.
Best we not forget.