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Podcast: North Star with Ellin Bessner
Episode: Alex Polowin, who lied about his age to fight Nazis in Europe, dedicated his life to peace and education
Description: At 98, Alex Polowin, one of Canada's most prominent Second World War veterans, passed away at his home in Ottawa. He was the last surviving veteran of HMCS Huron, who, after the war, spoke regularly to thousands of people across Canada and Europe about his experience as a 17-year-old Jew fighting Nazis. He saw action on D-Day and served in the Soviet Union and Northern Scotland; he helped sink a German battleship; and he even charmed political leaders, including Queen Elizabeth, with his gentle humour and harmonica skills.
In his twilight years, he became good friends with The...