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People line the side of a highway and wave flags in support as a convoy of government vehicles transports soldiers in Wainwright, Alta., on Wednesday.Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press
Two buses carrying soldiers from Canadian Forces Base Wainwright were greeted by flag-waving supporters on an Alberta highway Wednesday, days after a deadly military base fire.
Many in the crowd of about 300 also held up signs thanking those troops, who were not among the injured in the fire, for their service.
One sign said, “Wainwright stands with you.”
“Our condolences for your comrades and thank you for your service,” said another.
Troops taking part in training at the base in Wainwright, Alta., southeast of Edmonton, were overwhelmed by a wind-whipped grass fire Saturday. Four were killed and dozens were injured. Twenty-seven remain in hospital.
The four killed were identified as: Pte. Shaun Farrell, 23, of Prince Albert, Sask.; Pte. Aidan Goulding, 23, of North Vancouver; and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark, 19, of Langley, B.C.; and Sgt. Morgan Wong, 26, of Edmonton.
Wainwright fire: The four military members killed in the tragic incident
On Wednesday, two military helicopters flew overhead as the two Forces buses drove slowly past the cheering crowd.
Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh said the town of roughly 7,000 people wanted to show support for the military.
“It’s a Highway of Heroes kind of thing in our own little community,” he said.
“After the incident, they continued on with their training and continued to do their jobs. And so I think the least we can do is show a sense of pride in them and appreciation for what they’re doing.”
Among those on the highway were several soldiers from the base, some holding regimental and Canadian flags.
Dolly Brooks and her husband were carrying flags. Her walker was also festooned with a flag and a yellow “Support Our Troops” ribbon.
Dan Brooks spent 33 years in the Forces, and the couple has lived in Wainwright for most of that time. The base is important to both of them.
“I’ve noticed from near and far and all over the world that we’re getting the support that we need and how we come together when we really need to,” said Dolly Brooks.
Her husband said always it’s painful when a soldier dies. “It’s not easy. It’s not the first time I’ve seen a soldier pass on and it’s never nice.
“You always just hope that there’s a learning curve from what happened here, so we can prevent it in the future.”
A huge pile of flowers continues to grow at the cenotaph in Wainwright after four soldiers were killed in a weekend training exercise gone fatally wrong. Strong and sudden winds sent flames from a nearby grass fire across the Prairie landscape at lightning speed, stopping soldiers in their tracks and sending 39 to hospital, 19 critically. Six have since been discharged, says the defence minister.
The Canadian Press
Rhea Lovely grew up in a military family and her father was driving one of the buses. She said it has hit the community hard.
“Everyone’s been kind of sombre. The whole town’s been really quiet, but we’re just looking to support our troops because they are our town,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter where they were from in Canada. They are still family.”
The outpouring of goodwill comes on the same day that churches in the community were preparing to hold a prayer evening vigil for those killed and injured in the fire.
Ryan Wood, pastor of the town’s Church of the Nazarene, said it’s important those in the military know they’re not alone. His church is hosting the vigil.
“They’re hurting. They’re struggling just like everybody else,” Wood said.
“We want to have a message that we’re together in supporting our military. We’re together in grieving. We’re together in seeking a sense of peace and even hope in all of this.”
Isaiah Mast, pastor of the Evangelical Free Church, said Albertans like to think they’re tough.
But they need to know that it’s all right not to be all right.
“These things will live with the person,” Mast said. “I think what we hope to do is to be available for those who are going to be wrestling with this for a few weeks.
“This isn’t something that just goes away.”