Canada buries a genuine war hero

[glarius]

I just watched the funeral of Smokey Smith in British Columbia, on TV.....the last Victoria Cross (the greatest honour a Canadian can win in battle) winner from World War 2.....What an amazing person he was....I had several relatives who fought in that war and a couple of them were wounded....One in Italy and one in Holland....Speaking of Holland, they said the Ambassador of the Netherlands was at the funeral for Smokey Smith....I'm not surprised...The Dutch have never forgotten the fact that Canadians liberated Holland....They still honour our fallen soldiers every year....There are a lot of Dutch people in this area of southern Ontario where I live. They came over after the war and they will tell you how much they respect the Canadian soldiers for what they did.

[Spazito]

1. I missed the funeral coverage, sadly, but I am sure he was

honoured appropriately. I did watch the coverage from Holland recently on the anniversary of DD programming which was wonderful coverage.

Re Smokey Smith, from all accounts he sounded like a great guy to have known were one to be so fortunate.

[glarius]

2. It was very moving.....He was a lover of jazz and they had a band play

a number during the service....Most of the eulogists (is there such a word?) spoke of his great humility and sense of humour...He risked his life for the men in his outfit and saved them with his bravery....I've seen a few video clips of him on newscasts etc. and he seemed like a gentle, dear person....

[HEyHEY]

3. I watched some of it - there were some great speeches

He obviously had a profoundly delightful impact on anyone he met.

I loved the story about his 91st birthday when his family wouldn't let him have any scotch. "I never dreamed I'd live this long, and I especially didn't think I'd be celebrating it with chocolate pudding."

[glarius]

4. Ya ....I heard that....He was a cute old guy!

My uncle fought in Holland...He came home safe and sound....told us about the Dutch family he became great friends with....He used to go there with some of his buddies for hot meals during the war...

[yvr girl]

5. My dad had met Smokey (which I didn't know until today)

They were in the same (regiment?) but years apart. Apparently, Smokey was busted from corporal to private 9 times! (He liked to have a few drinks.) After he got the VC, they cut him more slack. My dad said he was quite a character.