For Jim Davis, learning how to cope with grief since losing his son in Afghanistan has been an eight-year journey.

Cpl. Paul Davis – or “Smiley” to his friends – died when his armoured vehicle rolled over during patrol in Kandahar in 2006. The 28-year-old left behind a broken-hearted family in Nova Scotia.

Over the years, his father has learned to focus on the pride he feels when he thinks of his boy.

In an interview with CTV News ahead of Friday’s National Day of Honour, which will commemorate Canadian sacrifices in Afghanistan, Jim Davis said his son was “providing a service that could make life better for all of us.

“And I think that was quite an accomplishment, in a short lifetime,” he said.

After Paul’s death, Davis courted controversy by questioning aspects of the Afghan mission and arguing that troops were pulled out too soon.

“Each time I do an interview, I sit there and think, oh (Paul) is probably angry with me,” he said with a laugh.

Still, Davis and his wife, Sharon, say they are “delighted” to be able to mark the Day of Honour with other military families.

Since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan, 158 Canadian soldiers lost their lives. Speaking to families who understood his loss helped Davis move forward. 

And as time went on, he and Sharon were able to take on the role of listeners when other grieving parents needed a shoulder to cry on.

"The reason why we feel so good is because so many wonderful people have offered support and it means a lot,” Davis said.

He cherishes the time he spent with Paul just before he was deployed. Davis had made a last-minute decision to fly out to Manitoba and surprise his son before he departed for Afghanistan.

It was a “powerful moment,” he said.

“I can never forget saying goodbye to him."

Now, when he attends veterans’ events, Davis says he can feel his son’s spirit among them.

“It just gives me so much strength to realize that my boy, his sacrifice, his name is now listed amongst the greatest heroes this country has.”

With a report from CTV’s Atlantic Bureau Chief Todd Battis