Métis Nation honours Second World War veteran in Port Hope

A Métis veteran in Port Hope, Ont. was honoured Saturday for his contributions to the Second World War.

At a ceremony in the town, Métis National Council Minister of Veterans Affairs and National Spokesperson David Chartrand honoured veteran Joseph Willmer Gagnon.

According to a press release, Gagnon enlisted on April 26, 1941 and was assigned to the Canadian Forestry Corps of the Canadian Army as a truck driver.

He spent most of his wartime service overseas in Holland. His father, Henry Holenger Gagnon, had fought in the Canadian armed forces during the First World War at Vimy Ridge and Passchaendaele in 1917.

Chartrand presented Gagnon with a cheque for $20,000 under the terms of the $30 million Canada-Métis Nation Métis Veterans Recognition Payment Agreement.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“Today’s ceremony marks another important recognition of these Métis heroes whose contributions were long overlooked,” said Chartrand. “We will remember all of them.”

2:16 First World War medals turn up in donation box, find their way back to Peterborough woman