The Dominion Institute has surpassed its goal of collecting 50 thousand signatures on a petition asking for a full state funeral for the last of the Veterans of the Great War.

Currently, only three veterans of the First World War remain – Lloyd Clemett (106 years of age), John Babcock (106 years of age) and Dwight Wilson (105 years of age).

The three men are Canada’s only living link to the sacrifices and triumphs of the more than half million Canadians who served under arms between 1914 and 1918 and the more than 60,000 who died in the Great War.

“A national gesture needs to be made to mark this watershed moment,” said Rudyard Griffiths, Executive Director of The Dominion Institute. “If there ever was a time for our nation to be bold and generous in the commemoration of our history, traditions, and values, surely the passing of our last Great War veteran is that moment.”

Surveys undertaken by the Dominion Institute reveal that Canadians’ knowledge of the First World War is fading rapidly with barely a third of our fellow citizens can name the battle of Vimy Ridge as a key Canadian victory in the First World War. Polls also show that Canadians feel that more effort should be made to keep the memories and sacrifices of our Great War veterans alive.

If you are interested in signing the petition, click here. 

As of last night, the petition had been signed by 50,243 people.  The Institute plans to  present the petition to Prime Minister Harper on December 11th.