Mr. Speaker, let us pay tribute to Sergeant Donald Kwasny.
Don was born in a coal-mining town in Alberta in 1919. The oldest of eight children, he left school during the Depression to support his family.
As part of the First Armoured Brigade, Sergeant Kwasny served in England, Sicily and across Italy. In 1943 his unit fought its way up the Italian peninsula, sometimes in hand-to-hand combat.
He fought in the Battle of Monte Cassino, helped liberate Rome, advanced to Florence, and survived under a record 441 consecutive days of bombardment. He earned five medals for service and bravery.
Sergeant Kwasny went on to serve the Calgary police force for 31 years, becoming the sergeant of detectives.
Sadly, Sergeant Kwasny passed away in Calgary on January 11, at the age of 91, and was laid to rest with military and police honours.
He was a great and true Canadian hero.