Member Statement (3 December 2025)

From Hansard (3 December 2025)

 

A Salute to Canadian Forces Serving in Afghanistan

Blaine McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A good dose of humility today.

Mr. Speaker, the commendation for the Star of Military Valour, awarded to Sergeant Willy MacDonald, reads as follows:

On August the 3rd, 2006, amidst chaos and under sustained and intense enemy fire in Afghanistan, Sergeant MacDonald selflessly and repeatedly exposed himself to great peril in order to assist his wounded comrades. Despite the risk, he ensured that his men held on until reinforcements arrived and that the platoon’s focus remained on holding the ground that they had fought so hard to secure.

Mr. Speaker, not known at the time was that the enemy was dug in and heavily fortified, literally waiting to ambush the Canadian forces led by Captain Jon Hamilton. Outnumbered by an estimated 200 to 14, 4 precious Canadian lives were lost that day, and many more were injured.

Mr. Speaker, Canada’s war on terror ran from 2001 to 2014, our longest and largest deployment since World War II. Forty thousand served with honour and distinction to secure freedom from the brutality of the Taliban forces. War brings tragic loss, and 158 members lost their lives and thousands returned with physical and psychological injuries.

Today we salute each of the soldiers here for standing up to do what had to be done, always serving as part of a team. Thank you for your selfless service on our behalf. May God richly bless you.