Adorned with more than a dozen medals for his time serving in the Second World War, Gerald Gaudet smiled softly as he collected donations for poppies inside a Surrey shopping centre this week.

Some people shuffled by without so much as a glance.

But others stopped and with warm smiles, took the decorated veteran香蕉视频直播檚 hand into theirs.

香蕉视频直播淲hat an honour,香蕉视频直播� said Priya Jeyasegar as she shook Gaudet香蕉视频直播檚 hand. 香蕉视频直播淪eeing a veteran like yourself, it gives me that peace of mind, and hope.香蕉视频直播�

Jeyasegar told Gaudet she had also personally experienced war, albeit from a different perspective.

She recalled being just eight years old when she had to be locked in a room for three days, during Sri Lanka香蕉视频直播檚 civil war.

香蕉视频直播淐anada is that safe haven,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淎nd you guys fought for it. Thank you. That means a lot.香蕉视频直播�

The two got to talking about both of their life stories. Smiles were exchanged, as were a few solemn looks.

Soon after Jeyasegar left, a young man asked permission to shake Gaudet香蕉视频直播檚 hand.

香蕉视频直播淭hank you so much for your service,香蕉视频直播� said Tristan Tsang, bowing his head ever so slightly. 香蕉视频直播淭hank you so much for your sacrifice.香蕉视频直播�

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Little did either of them know, Gaudet is a genuine knight, having received the Order of France in 2014. The honour was celebrated in Surrey香蕉视频直播檚 City Centre area with a parade that some 200 people attended.

香蕉视频直播淭hey closed traffic in town here,香蕉视频直播� Gaudet modestly recalled. 香蕉视频直播淭hey had a speaker from France here to present it. I had about 20 RCMP in their Red Serge parading. It was quite the day, a day I never forgot.

香蕉视频直播淎 big day.香蕉视频直播�

Asked what Remembrance Day means to him, Gaudet paused.

香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 a good question,香蕉视频直播� he replied, taking another moment.

香蕉视频直播淚 remember way back when, shortly after the war, and I started in the glass industry in Alberta, Nov. 11 was just another day, everybody working,香蕉视频直播� Gaudet said.

香蕉视频直播淚t was not recognized. I joined the union to fight that. That was one of my projects, to get Nov. 11 to be a holiday. That香蕉视频直播檚 back in 香蕉视频直播�47, 香蕉视频直播�48. Still, every day, I think about how hard it was to get Nov. 11 to be acknowledged by everybody.香蕉视频直播�

What made it so challenging?

香蕉视频直播淭he problem with Nov. 11, and the war, it was never taught to the kids at school,香蕉视频直播� Gaudet explained. 香蕉视频直播淚n Europe, Belgium, Holland, every kid in school knows all about the Canadian army in the war, but no kids in Canada were ever taught about it.香蕉视频直播�

But he香蕉视频直播檚 proud to have been part of the effort to have the holiday, now, a part of nation香蕉视频直播檚 fabric.

香蕉视频直播淚 get calls quite often to go speak at school around Nov. 11,香蕉视频直播� said Gaudet. 香蕉视频直播淭heir questions knock me down, it香蕉视频直播檚 like a sponge, all those kids want to know more and more.香蕉视频直播�

Gaudet was born in New Brunswick and said he was 17 when he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Engineers. He first served in Alberta, surveying land to build a camp for prisoners of war. He was sent overseas in 1944, unaware he was bound for Juno Beach.

Gaudet was also in the Battle of Caen, one of the largest battles after D-Day. He was tasked with building new bridges across rivers and canals in Belgium and Holland, so Allied forces could advance.

In all, his service earned him more than a dozen medals, the German Star and French Star among them.

香蕉视频直播淚t was another job in the service. It was no special thing, but you done it day to day,香蕉视频直播� Gaudet said.

香蕉视频直播淵ou don香蕉视频直播檛 know what香蕉视频直播檚 going to happen tomorrow, but you香蕉视频直播檙e part of it.香蕉视频直播�

Gaudet is one of the oldest 香蕉视频直播� if not the oldest 香蕉视频直播� veteran of the Whalley Legion香蕉视频直播檚 roughly 700 members. But he doesn香蕉视频直播檛 let that slow him down.

Ninety-six years young, Gaudet chuckles as he explains he still likes to go bowling, still drives and still lives independently, in his home which, yes, he also cleans himself.

香蕉视频直播淢y wife passed away 15 years ago and I still live in the same house that we did. Still do all the chores by myself and enjoy life,香蕉视频直播� he remarked. 香蕉视频直播淭ry to keep as busy as possible.香蕉视频直播�

You香蕉视频直播檒l be able to see Gaudet this Sunday, at the Whalley Legion香蕉视频直播檚 parade and service, which he attends faithfully.

香蕉视频直播淚 usually lay a candle on the cenotaph they have for the veterans, different branches, the navy, the army, the air force,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淚 lay candles there.香蕉视频直播�

amy.reid@surreynowleader.com
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