It's certainly not my area of expertise, but I understand that in the Second World War Prairie boys actually were more likely to sign up for the navy than anyone else in the country, and I think there is a certain fascination that one has with things that are so different from what you know, coming from the Prairies.
In fact, my grandfather did exactly that. He grew up in Biggar, Saskatchewan, and joined the Canadian navy. The Canadian Naval Air Group was his beat, so I've been happy to indulge similar sentiments during the course of Mr. Perkins' remarks, let's say....
How's that for diplomacy? I think pretty good, Mr. Chair.