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Fighting on the front lines in Italy during the Second World War, Lucien “Jim” Boucher had a moment when he wondered how he was still alive.

Bullets careened around him, striking on nearby rocks and causing sparks to fly.

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Now 97, Boucher sat flanked by his children and a plaque of war medals on Wednesday as he received overdue financial compensation for his service.

As a Metis veteran, Boucher was denied appropriate benefits and support upon returning from the war.

He and Marie “Alice” Victoria Samuel (née Petit) are among just over a dozen such veterans being presented with cheques for $20,000 as part of the federal government’s recognition of their service. Samuel was honoured in a ceremony at Goodwill Manor in Duck Lake on Wednesday.

In September, officials issued a formal apology and announced the creation of a $30 million compensation package, most of which would go intoa legacy fund to support initiatives like education or monuments.