Mr. Speaker, last month, it was my great privilege to travel around my riding of Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon to honour our living World War II veterans with a victory pin and certificate issued by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Veterans Affairs to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Canada's entry into the war.
I held events at the Pemberton, Lillooet, Hope and Chilliwack legions where 25 veterans gathered to receive this honour in the presence of their friends, families and comrades.
As we celebrated these living legends and Canadian heroes, I was reminded of one of my heroes, my late grandfather Bill Strahl, who joined the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II when he was only 17 years old, a young man, but like thousands of others his age, old enough to know that he needed to join the fight against Nazi tyranny.
Many of the veterans we honoured were just boys and girls when they volunteered to defend this great country and the values we hold dear, but they quickly came of age as our greatest generation.
All gave some, some gave all. Lest we forget.