Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember Private Mark Anthony Graham and to honour the 40,000 Canadians who fought with NATO in Afghanistan.
Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, the United States of America invoked NATO's article 5 for the first time in history, calling America's allies to their collective defence. Canada answered that call. Private Mark Anthony Graham was a Canadian soldier. He was an Olympic athlete, a graduate of Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School in my riding, and a role model to young Canadians.
On September 4, 2006, Private Graham was killed fighting on the front line with NATO during Operation Medusa in Afghanistan. The recent comments by the American President claiming NATO forces were not on the front lines dishonour the memory of Canadians like Private Graham who gave their lives in defence of our American allies. We owe it to our veterans to speak the truth and to honour their service with respect and remembrance.