Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour a hero, William Joseph Seifried.
Bill joined the army at 18 and trained as a gunner at Petawawa, but when he deployed to London, England, new recruits were made infantry. Bill became a Regina Rifle and, without training, was sent to the front in France. He fought through France, Belgium and the Netherlands and then served as a reconnaissance scout in Germany. By quickly returning a grenade, Bill saved his platoon at the Leopold Canal.
In peace as in war, Bill's service and kindness never wavered. He gave his all to his family, his community and his comrades at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 234, where he was a member for 78 years.
In 2024, Bill proudly represented the Regina Rifles at the unveiling of a rifleman statue in Normandy with Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.
On May 3, 2025, he celebrated his 100th birthday at the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. Seeing this country peaceful touched him deeply.
On December 22, Bill passed away. Canada thanks William Joseph Seifried. We remember.