Veterans from Kahnawake have been very busy in the past few weeks as they pay tribute to fallen soldiers.
Louis Stacey and Eugene Montour both served in the United States military -- Stacey with a stint in the Navy, Montour with two decades in the Army -- and have returned to their native home.
Both are proud that they are invited to attend a flurry of events, such as last week's memorial ceremony at Centennial Park School in Chateauguay.
"It's an honour that we get invited to events like this and I think it's a very good learning experience," said Stacey.
Military service has a strong tradition in Kahnawake, where aboriginals are allowed to join the military in either the U.S. or Canada. Many opt for the U.S. Army, with Montour saying he was drawn by the sense of adventure.
"I got a star for Desert Storm," Montour said.
But with the adventure comes moments of bone-chilling fear.
"I'm not gonna lie, at one time I wanted to cry, because I thought something's going to happen here... and thank God nothing did," said the veteran.
Despite clashes between the Mohawk community and the provincial and federal governments, Stacey said he has never questioned his commitment.
" Your main objective is to defend the land that we all live on together, to ensure that we all have a free and healthy lifestyle, everyday.That's the way I saw it," said Stacey.
On this Remembrance day, both will think of those who never made it back to stand alongside them.
And they have one wish for their fellow citizens.
"Don't take your poppy and throw it in the garbage," said Stacey. "Put in on your dresser, or pin it on a curtain in your house, so that it's always there."
