Sergeant (Retired) Ernest Alvia "Smokey" Smith, VC .....God bless 'em...RIP..

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

- Canada loses it's last surviving Victoria Cross Winner

VANCOUVER, Aug. 3 /CNW Telbec/ - Sergeant (Retired) Ernest Alvia "Smokey"
Smith, VC, has died today at the age of 91 in Vancouver. In consultation with
the Smith family and in cooperation with other agencies, a military funeral is
being planned to honour Sergeant Smith.
As arrangements become definite, they will be posted to the Legion web
site, http://www.pacificlegion.org/smokysmith.html , and announced to the
media. A Valour Coordination Media Centre will be established at The Sutton
Place Hotel at 845 Burrand St, Vancouver beginning tomorrow from 7 a.m. to
8 p.m., Pacific Standard Time, and will remain open until the morning after
the funeral.
Should the public have any enquiries, then can contact Veterans Affairs
at 1-800-443-0394.
The Smith family has asked for complete privacy during their time of
mourning and the media and public are asked to respect this request. Media
should place all inquiries to the Valour Media Centre, via email
( smith.valour@forces.gc.ca ), or by telephone (604-225-2520, ext 2496).



For further information: Media: Valour Media Centre, (604) 225-2520,
ext 2496, via email ( smith.valour@forces.gc.ca )