A member of 431 Squadron from World War II, 97-year-old veteran Reg Harrison, was inducted to the Society of Honourary Snowbirds last Friday at their final show of the year.

Harrison flew a total of 13 Allied bombing missions throughout Europe during the war, even receiving the nickname 'Crash' after surviving being shot down 4 times.

Harrison said this was something he always hoped for but never expected.

"I've often said to my three girls 'Wouldn't it be great if someday they made me an honourary Snowbird?' Never believing that someday I would receive this honour. At this stage of my life I can't express how I feel. I just feel really indebted to this organization. They're always amazing, I've never missed an air show."

"I joined up in the fall of 1941 when I was 18, and I only had my Grade 10," Harrison said, reflecting on the start of his military service. "The course lasted 8 months and if you passed the course you got credit for Grade 11 and 12. We were flying over Germany and had searchlights looking for me, anti-aircraft firing. It made me wonder why I studied so hard."

When asked if he thought he had enough skill to fly with the Snowbirds, Harrison said he was not so sure.

"When I went training in Yorkton, the Commanding Officer said 'You're going to go formation flying today, there's going to be 3 planes'. So we had twin engine Cessnas, and when we landed he said 'Well I don't know how to assess that, but I guess I could say you were all going the same way on the same day'. I don't think he was very impressed."

 Harrison received his award and recognition while Governor General Julie Payette was visiting 15 Wing on her tour of Saskatchewan.

The survival rate for bomber crews in World War II was a staggering 50%, equal to the survival rate within the trenches in World War I.

Commanding Officer of the Snowbirds Lieutenant Colonel Mike French said it was an absolute honour for the Snowbirds to have Harrison as an honourary member, and he couldn't think of anyone more fitting to receive the induction.