One of the most highly decorated First Nations soldiers from the First World War called the Okanagan home.

Private George McLean, a rancher from the Head of the Lake Band, served his country several times, and such is a veteran of two wars. With the Canadian Mounted Rifles, McLean served in the South African (or Boer) War at the turn of the century. He then enlisted in Vernon in 1916 and sailed for Great Britain, and was in France with the 54th Battalion. During the Battle of Vimy Ridge, armed with about a dozen Mills bombs (small violently exploding grenades nicknamed pineapples), McLean launched a daring solo attack on a group of enemy soldiers.

香蕉视频直播淪ingle-handed, he captured 19 prisoners, and later, when attacked by five more prisoners who attempted to reach a machine-gun, he was able香蕉视频直播攁lthough wounded香蕉视频直播攖o dispose of them unaided, thus saving a large number of casualties,香蕉视频直播� the private香蕉视频直播檚 citation reads.

McLean was shot in the arm by a sniper during his brave act and returned to Canada for medical treatment. He went on to become a firefighter in the Vancouver region before dying in 1934.

In honour of Indigenous Veterans Day, Premier John Horgan singled out McLean in a public statement Monday, Nov. 8.

香蕉视频直播淒uring the First World War, every man between the ages of 20 and 35 from Nk香蕉视频直播檓aplqs (Head of the Lake), presently known as the Okanagan Indian Band, enlisted in the war effort,香蕉视频直播� Horgan said. 香蕉视频直播淎mong them was Private George McLean, a rancher who was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery during the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917. His bravery is but one example among many.香蕉视频直播�

Indigenous Veterans Day is a time to honour those Indigenous people who have served and continue to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces.

香蕉视频直播淓very year on this date, we reflect on the contributions and the sacrifices made by an estimated 12,000 First Nations, M茅tis and Inuit people from across this land who have served,香蕉视频直播� Horgan said. 香蕉视频直播淚ndigenous people have a proud tradition of military service, including in the Boer War, both World Wars and the Korean War, as well as in more recent conflicts in the Middle East and Afghanistan.香蕉视频直播�

Along with those who made sacrifices on the home front, Horgan acknowledged that many Indigenous veterans came home to face continued discrimination.

香蕉视频直播淭he legacy of their mistreatment echoes to this day,香蕉视频直播� Horgan said.

香蕉视频直播淥n this sombre day of reflection, we remember those who never made it home. We also recognize those who returned home forever changed by conflict and acknowledge the sacrifice of their service.香蕉视频直播�

- with files from Veteran Affairs Canada, photos courtesy of the Canadian Encyclopedia

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