The Dominion Institute is gathering signatures on a petition calling for the Canadian government to offer a full state funeral to the family of the last surviving veteran of World War One. The preamble to the petition reads:

“We the undersigned feel enormous gratitude for the sacrifice made by all the Canadian Armed Forces through the ages in defence of this country and its values; acknowledge the very special nature of the sacrifice made by those who fought in the First World War in appalling conditions and with terrible loss of life; note that only three First World War veterans remain, and urge the Prime Minister that their sacrifice, and all of those they served with under arms from 1914-1918, be celebrated by offering a state funeral to the family of the last veteran of the First World War resident in Canada.”

Canada provided a state funeral for Pte. Ernest Alvia (Smokey) Smith, Canada’s last Victoria Cross recipient, in 2005. It seem a totally appropriate and dignified remembrance for Canada to offer similar state funeral to the family of the last World War One veteran. I’d also like to see a similar offer made to the family members of the last surviving World War Two and Korean War veterans.

If you weren’t previously aware of this petition or have not yet taken the time to sign it, I urge you to do so now.

h/t to small dead animals and halls of macadamia

Technorati Tags: Remembrance Day, state funeral, WWI, World War One, Smokey Smith, solider, Canadian Armed Forces, petition

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