Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, I’d like to talk about the bravery and sacrifice of Canadians, both past and present, who have helped, and continue to help, shape, and protect the foundation of our society freedom.
For generations, men and women have heeded the call to protect democracy. They have left their families, their dreams of higher education, a goodpaying job, their desire to create music or art, all so we can live our lives the way we choose.
Madam Speaker, they protected us from evil so we could enjoy the peace and prosperity we know today. Their stories can be found in cities, towns, and villages across Canada. It has long been a practice in many Canadian jurisdictions to name geographical features in honour of men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces who died in service of their country. It’s no different here, Madam Speaker.
There are 316 place names in the Northwest Territories named in honour of those who gave their lives to protect freedom and democracy.
Located just north of the Saskatchewan border, Moss Lake is named after Warrant Officer Class 1 Donald Moss, who died on December 22nd, 1941. Son of Arthur and Kezia Moss, of Toronto, Moss has no known grave. His name is inscribed on the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, U.K.
Woodman’s Head, located near Blackwater Lake, just north of Wrigley, is named after Leading Aircraftman William Daniel Holloway Woodman, who died on August 8th, 1944. Son of Thomas and Anne Woodman of Edmonton, AB, Woodman is buried in the Harrowgate Cemetery in Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
Madam Speaker, Golby Island that is located on Lac La Marte, just northwest of the community of Whati, is named after Lieutenant Commander Thomas Maitland Wake Golby, who died on February 22nd, 1943, along with six members of his crew when his shipyard was mined and sunk east of Gibraltar. Son of Agnes Golby; husband of Joan A. Golby, of Victoria, BC, he has no known grave. His name is inscribed on the Halifax Memorial.
The list of place names is available on the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre website, Madam Speaker, and I hope Members of this House and residents will take the time to look at the list. It is a resource that can help us better understand the names of places around us, and the people who gave their lives so current and future generations could live free. Madam Speaker, Lest we Forget
