mn queor' Park otc: oa 2071, Lele Bil. Tort, ON MTAYAB ek 410-905-2044 ae Fenc416325 218 ane ma foSreaileccom Randy Hillier, MPP. LanarcFrontenag-Lannox and Addington Honourable Harjit Singh Sajjan Minister of National Defence House of Commons Ottawa, Canada K1A 046, 10 November 2015, Dear Minister; Let me begin by offering you congratulations on your recent appointment to Cabinet as Minister of National Defence, and thank you for your ongoing dedication and service to the cause of freedom, justice, and democracy. | am writing you today with regards to the repatriation of the body of a Canadian veteran recently killed in Syria while fighting ISIS, and for your assistance in this matter. John Robert Gallagher previously served with the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry; subsequent to the service, he volunteered his continued services to the cause of freedom, fighting our enemies overseas and protecting innocents from the terror of ISIS. Last week, around November 4", 2015 he was Killed in this cause, and currently his family is going through the difficult and emotional process of bringing him home for burial. Lam personally aware of overwhelming public sentiment and support for his efforts to help the Kurdish people in their struggle against oppression, as well as an increasing desire by many Canadians to assist the family financially in making the required and important arrangements for repatriation and burial. | have also had direct contact from the PPCLI Association, who have expressed their desire not only to assist the family with the difficult burden of burying their son, but in recognizing and honouring his heroism. | am told that the Department of Foreign of Affairs and International Trade is in contact with the family and providing some level of assistance in retrieving John’s body from the combat zone. Jd constiueey ozo: ety offi 1-105 dun St Prt ON KTHGAS «Tl 613-257-823» Fa 619-287-7508, Carlotn Pla Office: 224 ge Ses Carlton Place, ON KP 369 «Tel 613-257-8190 « Fax 613057 4971‘sen’ Park ote: oar 207 Wf Lei Bp Tora, NNTAGAB Te 6-208.2044 ae Foe 16-205.2196 seca Ema into@raniiozon Randy Hillier, MPP Lanark-Frontanac-Lennox and Adington Minister, while John Gallagher was battling ISIS of his own free will and choice, and outside of the Canadian mission against ISIS, | think it is important that we recognize two important facts with his repatriation. The first is that this young man is a Canadian veteran, who served his country dutifully and honourably when called to do so, and continued to serve the cause Canadians have historically long held dear; to fight oppression and injustice wherever we find it, Secondly, this man represents what we as Canadians hold in the highest regard and with great pride- our unwavering courage in the face of danger. These are unique circumstances that are deserving of our thoughtful consideration; acknowledging that there are a number of our veterans involved in the battle against ISIS, we ‘ought to consider what protocols may be established to address any future Canadian casualties. We would be doing ourselves a great service as Canadians if we were to honour John Gallagher by repatriating his body as a nation, and burying him with appropriate military honours, while providing Canadians the opportunity to show their respect and gratitude for his voluntary service along the Highway of Heroes. As Canadians, if we fail to acknowledge those individuals among us who sacrifice and give their lives for causes we all hold precious and dear, we in the end, fail ourselves. ook forward to your timely reply. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Singeyely, Randy Hille Constituency ofoes: Perth ies 1-105 Deri St» Perth ON KPHBAS «Tl 612-257-0299» Fax: 619-267-7008, Carleton Place Offie: 24 xg Soot» Catan Pac, ON KPC 26) «To 613-7-8130 «Fax 618.257-4971