Madam Speaker, I want to echo many of the positive words that the member opposite has put on the record in regard to service people both past and present who have served our country so well, recognizing the importance of November 11 at 11 o'clock in the morning.
Every year, I have had the opportunity to participate in one way or another. We all participate in different ways. On Machray Avenue at McGregor Armoury, a heritage building, the local armoury, there will be a presentation and a moment of silence. I have attended ceremonies at cemeteries. I have even had the opportunity in the Philippines to pay tribute to fallen soldiers of allied forces who were born here in Canada. It is important that we recognize November 11, and I appreciate the member's statements in regard to it.
I have had the opportunity to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces, and during the 1980s I actually marched with World War II veterans. Therefore I am very sympathetic to the member's argument in regard to how the veterans would see what the government is doing today. I would suggest to the member that I have held myself high, that the government has held itself high and that the individuals with whom I marched would in fact have been very comfortable with it.