Tomorrow, Ernest “Smokey” Smith will lie in state (CBC) in the foyer House of Commons of Canada in Ottawa.
He was the last remaining recipient of the Victoria Cross in Canada. He earned it for his heroic and brave acts while fighting in Italy in 1944. He died on Sunday at the age of 91.
Prime Minister Paul Martin and other dignitaries, politicians and citizens will pay their respects to Smokie in person tomorrow. The rest of Canada will do the same by lowering all Canadian flags to half mast and remembering Smokeys bravery and sacrifice.
There will be a full military funeral in New Westminster on Saturday.
May he rest in peace and join the many friends he left behind in Italy.