Mr. Speaker, today I honour the men and women whose legacy dates back to the First World War and Canada's best kept military secret, the only all black military No. 2 Construction Battalion formed on July 5, 1916. This year celebrates its 90th anniversary.
Men like Joseph Madden and James Aaron Jacobs were among the 605 men who eventually got permission to serve their country. Despite segregation and lack of basic health care, the battalion served with honour and dignity in France.
We honour their memory today by including their names in the roll call of Canadians who have served this country. On behalf of my constituents in Laval—Les Îles, I would like to thank their descendants who served in the second world war.
Former Lieutenant-Colonel Kenneth B. Jacobs, Lieutenant-Colonel Wally Peters accompanied by his daughter, Lieutenant-Colonel Shelley Carey, Mr. Robert Dorsey and Mr. Edwin Sayles.