Canadian hero lies in state
OTTAWA - The Peace Tower bells tolled a mournful lament as a flag-draped coffin bearing war hero Ernest (Smoky) Smith was borne by kilted Seaforth Highlanders to lie in state on Parliament Hill.
Prime Minister Paul Martin and Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson led a parade of dignitaries, veterans, soldiers and citizenry to pay respects to the Victoria Cross winner as he lay in the foyer of the House of Commons.
A long line snaked out the doors of Parliament and along the perimeter of the lawn where tourists crowded in sweltering heat to watch the daily ritual of the changing of the guard.
“I’m here to pay my respects to a good man,” said Australian army Sgt. Wayne Vickers, in Canada on a military exchange.
Young and old stood side-by-side for hours to get a few brief seconds at his side.
Soldiers — most of them, like Smoky himself, enlisted — stood at attention and saluted Smith’s coffin.
“He was a very colourful man, which is often the trait of people who are hard to stop,” said Charles Belzile, honorary grand president of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Smith was the last surviving Canadian winner of the Victoria Cross when he died last week at the age of 91. He won the medal for extraordinary heroism in singlehandedly repelling a German counterattack on the Savio River in Italy in 1944.
“It was important to mark the passing of a hero,” said Pamela St. George, who brought her two children, ages 11 and 9, to see Smith’s coffin and sign the book of condolences.
“I’ve talked to them about Smoky Smith before. I’ve even read them the account of what he did. So they both know what a great man he was.”
