Mr. Speaker, on April 21, I had the distinct honour and privilege to meet and welcome home 12 of our finest soldiers from their recent tour of duty in Afghanistan. They are proud members of the well-renowned Grey and Simcoe Foresters, and were guests of honour at a barbecue and dance held at the Owen Sound Armouries.
We thank God for the safe return of Warrant Officer Dean Henley, Master Corporals Dennis Dietrich, Kevin Kelley and Jamie Bull, Corporals Joel Chidley, Mike Cottenden, Danny Khoury, Travis Polaniec, Christopher Saumur, Jordan Webb and Ted Runyon-Lloyd, as well as Private Dean Laporte.
I felt great pride in observing this military family mingling with family and friends: Master Corporal Dietrich, with his quiet leadership style; Corporal Cottenden, a true character and inspirational leader; and the youthful exuberance of Private Lapointe.
On behalf of the Government of Canada, I thanked them for their great service to their country and I ask the House to do the same.