TORONTO — A prominent Canadian businessman has given more than $500,000 to families of American and Canadian soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Les Shaw, chairman of the oil services company Shawcor Ltd., said he sent $2,000 checks to the families as an expression of gratitude.
"We in North America and other parts of the world, we take freedom for granted," Shaw, who lives in Barbados, said last week. "Yet here’s these young fellows and their families who are giving the ultimate sacrifice to sustain the freedom we enjoy."
Shaw said he began making the donations after President Bush declared an end to major combat operations in Iraq on May 1.
The recipients included the families of six Canadians killed in Afghanistan.
Once the U.S. military granted permission to Shaw and gave him the contact information for nearly 250 families, he sent them checks along with a letter of thanks.
Shaw stopped the payments July 31 and said he hopes someone else will step forward to continue the effort.
"I think they would find it gratifying, and as time goes by, very worthwhile," said Shaw, whose 22-year-old nephew is in Baghdad with American forces.
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