LONGUEUIL - Gordon Hamblin laid a wreath in his father's memory Sunday, as veterans gathered in Greenfield Park Sunday to share stories and remember.
Hamblin has spent much of his life trying to find out more about his father, Sgt. George Philp of the Royal Canadian Hussars. Hamblin was two when the 21-year-old soldier was killed. He'd survived the D-Day invasion, but was killed in Normandy two weeks later, and buried in Beny-sur-Mer, France with thousands of other Canadian soldiers.
The ceremony in Longueuil Sunday gave Hamblin a chance to honour his father, and help provide closure to the 67-year-old heartbreak.
""I would have liked to have told him that I did pretty well, with my family and everything else. And I really, really appreciate what he's done and what everybody else has done for the country," said Hamblin, who was surprise to learn Sunday he would receive an honour from the Canadian government for his father's sacrifice for his country.
Capt. Ali Raju presented Hamblin with a certificate from the deputy of Veterans' Affairs, an overwhelming surprise.
"I'm trying to fit it all together," said Hamblin. "It makes me feel very good… I've got grandchildren, great grandchildren and it's all because of him. It makes me feel complete."
Helping organize the surprise was Hamblin's daughter, Kelly, who for years watched her father investigate his roots.
"I hope that he walks away knowing a little bit more, feeling good about this, and I hope it puts him in a good place," she said.
