A man who pleaded guilty to wearing a fake soldier’s uniform on Remembrance Day must do 50 hours of community service for impersonating a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Franck Gervais, 33, made an emotional apology during his sentencing hearing in an Ottawa courtroom on Tuesday.
“I understand and realize that my actions were wrong,” said the clean-shaven Gervais, stopping occasionally to rub his forehead and eyes.
Gerry Wharton, a retired major who served 32 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, led Gervais on a tour of the Beechwood Cemetery on the weekend, where they laid poppies on the tombstones of soldiers. The well-decorated veteran said he believes Gervais was genuinely remorseful in his apology and “displayed appreciation” for the cemetery tour.
On Nov. 11, 2014 – than three weeks after the shooting death of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo at the National War Memorial shocked the country – Gervais appeared on CBC TV, wearing a beard and a phoney soldier’s uniform.
The televised Remembrance Day interview drew angry and shocked comments from soldiers and war veterans across the country.
Source:: Metro News
