By Dan Jones LJI
Northumberland 89.7 FM
A cold, windy, and snowy day did not deter the Alderville First Nation from honouring the contributions and sacrifices of their military veterans at a ceremony Sunday.
Approximately 80 members of Alderville First Nation enlisted in the armed forces during World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War.
Two living veterans participated in the ceremony. 91-year-old Morris McKenzie began his 26-year military career in the Army, but found his true calling in the Air Force, where he served as a specialist in the Crash and Rescue Unit, pinning bombs to the undersides of fighter jets and planes.
99-year-old Donald Smoke, a Gunner, joined the Army’s 15th Regiment at the age of 17. He was known for his exceptional skills and accuracy as a nine-mile sniper, serving in Belgium and the Netherlands during World War II.
Donald’s daughter, Marsha Smoke, says it was an honour to have her father at the ceremony.
Originally aired: November 10, 2025
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