Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Master-Corporal Jason Cory Hamilton, who is stationed at Trenton, Ontario, and whose parents, Russell and Fern Hamilton, are from Whitewood, Saskatchewan, in my constituency. They are in Ottawa today.
Today Jason will be awarded the Star of Courage, which is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril.
On October 2, 2003, after their convoy's lead vehicle had struck an anti-tank mine, MCpl Jason Hamilton and Cpl Danny Matthews entered an undefined minefield to recover three of their stricken comrades near Kabul, Afghanistan. He and Cpl Matthews worked their way on to the dangerous terrain until they reached the first fallen soldier. After escorting the injured soldier back to safety to administer first aid, Cpl Matthews and MCpl Hamilton returned, advancing farther into the minefield, only to discover that the mine blast had claimed the lives of two other soldiers.
This is a salute to great acts of courage and bravery on the part of MCpl Jason Cory Hamilton.