Mr. Speaker, last week I had the honour of attending the national Remembrance Day ceremony with my uncle, a veteran of the second world war, Sapper René Garand. My uncle joined the Canadian army in 1941. He served as a gunner throughout Europe until the end of the war.
My uncle shared with me a horrific story of when his unit, the 14th Armoured Canadian Regiment of Calgary, was ambushed in Italy in 1943. The four tanks ahead of his had been bombed and were burning. He was in the fifth tank, which was also hit. Due to the courageous efforts of his comrades and his own, they were able to save their own lives and the lives of many other Canadians.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our veterans and current members of the Canadian Forces for their courageous dedication and sacrifice in protecting our country.
I would also like to thank my uncle René, who is well loved by our entire family.
I stand with my colleagues in this House in saying, “Lest we forget”.