The mayor of Kamloops says when the time is right, the city will create a memorial to the Snowbirds and Captain Jenn Casey.
He made those comments during a ceremony organized by the Kamloops Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion to honour Captain Casey, and Captain Richard MacDougall, the pilot of the plane, who suffered serious injuries.
“At a time suitable, the City of Kamloops will create a memorial to recognize the contribution of the Snowbirds,” Christian said. “They’re cherished Canadian icons that have been with us for 50 years, and we will make an appropriate memorial to their service to this country.”
It was a sombre mood at the CF-5 Memorial at Kamloops Airport, which included readings, the laying of wreaths, the singing of O’Canada, and the Last Post. The event was initially meant to be a public gathering, but it was closed to the public because of physical distancing concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some 90,000 people tuned into the live stream, according to Legion Past President, Craig Thomson. It offered a everyone a moment to pause and listen to the words of remembrance safely from their home.
“We are still in shock over the cruel irony of Operation Inspiration and the near-miss that we had in the community of Brocklehurst — and we’re processing that tragedy,” added Christian.
“We, the citizens of Kamloops, stand with the residents of Nova Scotia in terms of our acknowledgement of this incident and our deepest sympathies and regrets to the family of Capt. Casey.”
‘Important to do something’: Legion President
The President of the Kamloops Legion, Daniel Martin, says there was a lot of public interest about the tribute, despite it having to be closed to the public because of COVID-19.
“Thank you to people of Kamloops, and thank you to the Snowbirds, especially, to putting something to go across Canada, putting something to try to put a smile on people’s faces,” he told NL News. “And to the family Captain Casey, our deep condolences. Hopefully the healing process can start.”
Martin says the Air Force has always been a part of Kamloops, and he says it was very important to do something to honor the Snowbirds and Captain Casey.
“As a community, watching them come in last Saturday, it was super. And the joy they brought to us was very good, especially in this COVID-19 pandemic,” added Martin. “Sunday morning, after the tragedy, our legion came to terms very fast, saying we need to do something.”
Family of Capt. Casey grateful for support from Kamloops
Meanwhile, Canadian Armed Forces public affairs officer, Lt. Alexandra Hejduk says the tribute organized by the Kamloops Legion was incredibly touching.
“I found out an hour before the tribute was set to happen that the family caught wind of it out in Halifax,” she told NL News. “They sent me here to document and take photos and I’ve sent those already out to the family actually.”
“I was able to give them the information that the ceremony was going to be live-streamed on the Legion page, so I’m hoping they got that message in time to watch it.”
Hejduk says the Casey family – and the rest of the Armed Forces – are grateful for all of the support and tributes from the Kamloops community in the aftermath of Sunday’s tragedy.
“For me Kamloops means heart. That’s an absolute metaphor for the city,” Hejduk added.
“This is a city of so much heart, so much love and giving, like the support from the Brock residents to the different memorials and tributes to our First Nations in the community that have been supporting us as well and reaching out. It’s been incredibly touching for all of us.”
– With files from Curt Appleby, Colton Davies, and Victor Kaisar
Dignitaries starting to gather at the roundabout @KamloopsAirport for Legion’s #CFSnowbirds memorial #Kamloops @RadioNLNews pic.twitter.com/cLpJqA5Ckx
— Curt Appleby (@CApps32) May 21, 2020
National Anthem sung by the piper @RadioNLNews pic.twitter.com/NzbtehHcae
— Curt Appleby (@CApps32) May 21, 2020
