Mr. Speaker, I would like to read from a soldier's letter I received not long ago:
I am in the Canadian Armed Forces and have been for 10 and a half years. I have been to Cyprus, Somalia and at this very moment am in Yugoslavia. I am sure you get hundreds of letters per day from people expressing their views on every type of situation going. My letter is just a get to know you letter.
I read in your 1994 fall report that a Yugoslavia family received a Canadian flag as part of their welcome to Canada. The only Canadian flag I've seen is on our sleeves. Could you please send me a Canadian flag for over here and also a calendar to mark off the days left on my tour.
Waiting to hear from you. Yours sincerely-
I immediately sent this young soldier every Canadian flag I could lay my hands on plus 100 pins.
As we approach Christmas, let us remember it is not enough just to talk about how much we value those who help and serve us, we must also show it by our deeds.