Family, friends, and military members will gather at the Canadian Forces airbase in Trenton Ontario today for a ceremony to honour six military members.
They were aboard a Canadian military Cyclone helicopter which crashed into the sea on April 29, The aircraft was returning to the frigate HMCS Fredericton while on a NATO training exercise off the coast of Greece.
The body of Sub-Lt. Abbigail Cowbrough was recovered while another body has since been recovered but has not yet been formally identified. the others are missing and presumed dead.
The casket bearing the body of Sub-Lt Cowbrough will be the first carried off the plane after it lands, followed by members of the HMCS Fredericton carrying the headgear of the five others laid on pillows. The headgear will represent the fallen depending on whether they were members of the Royal Canadian Navy or Royal Canadian Air Force.
Due to concerns over COVID-19, masks, gloves and social distancing will be required for military and family members as much as is possible in such sombre circumstances.
In a statement Tuesday, the Canadian Armed Forces said, “Despite the challenges presented by the current COVID-19 environment and the need to maintain physical distancing, 8 Wing/CFB Trenton is committed to a dignified and respectful repatriation for our fallen aviators and sailors”.
Cpl. Chris Rodusek, second left, guides a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter into position aboard HMCS Fredericton during Operation Reassurance on Jan. 22, 2020. (Cpl. Simon Arcand/Canadian Armed Forces/Combat Camera)
Ceremony begins at 14;15 (2;15 PM) Eastern time
The casket and body will be transported along the major 401 highway to Toronto where an autopsy will be performed. The section of highway has been redesignated as the “Highway of Heroes” after the corteges carrying fallen soldiers during the Afghan war and Iraq were transported along it.
For each cortege, thousands of Canadians turned out along route either at the side of the highway, or on overpasses displaying Canadian flags to show respect and honour for the fallen soldiers. This time the government is encouraging people to stay home and watch the ceremony and cortege live coverage rather than risk the spread of the virus.
Canadians have taken to gathering at the roadside and on overpasses to honour fallen Canadian soldiers as the cortege passes along the “Highway of Heroes” between Trenton and Toronto in Ontario. Here they honour Sgt Andrew Doiron, killed in Iraq in 2015. Due to COVID, people are being urged this time to stay home and watch the ceremony on TV or online. ((Fred Thornhill-Reuters)
The ceremony will be carried live on the CAF Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/CanadianForces/
It has only recently been revealed that the helicopter went down within sight of the ship and was witnessed by some crew members. The flight data boxes broke free from the helicopter during the crash and have been recovered and sent to the National Research Council in Ottawa for analysis. No further information has yet been determined.
additional information- sources
- CBC/CP: May 6/20: 6 Canadian service members killed in helicopter crash to be honoured at CFB Trenton ceremony
- Canadian Press (Kitchener Today) May 6/20: Ceremony to be held today for service members who died in helicopter crash
- Canadian Press (via CTV) Berthiaume/Tutton: May 4/20: HMCS Fredericton crew witnessed crash
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