Tragedy in Training - CFB Wainwright

My heartfelt condolences to the families of the dead and wounded of CFB Wainwright. Seems like this tragedy could've been avoided with better foresight; and that their fates were cast from a terrible miscalculation. We anxiously await the details from a full investigation.

Alas, have we made any headway on implementing the recommendations of the Mass Casualty Commission after the 2020 murder spree in central Nova Scotia that claimed 22 lives? I hope so, but I don't recall much follow-up on that from our national media.

How sadly soon we tend to forget. But I digress.

Coming on the eve of a needless referendum vote that only serves to foster division and distrust of "others" and especially non-Albertans, I am reminded of how connected we all are to one another across Canada. My Quebec-born cousin (now retired) was a part of the same regiment: the famous, storied Princess Patricias. He was based in Edmonton, where he raised a family of his own, and gratefully never saw combat during his career in the Forces. He was my mother's first cousin and I know him only tangentially, but I am sure this is a huge gut-punch for him, as with anyone in our Armed Forces.

... 

I was making a stop at a Tim Horton's in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, a few weeks back when three young Armed Forces trainees appeared alongside us at the counter, all of us awaiting our breakfast orders.

They were so young, none over 24, surely.

They were laughing together and sharing stories that moved effortlessly between our two official languages. I wonder if any of them have since been reassigned to Wainwright, and were part of the exercise, or witness to it.

Or among the wounded.

Regardless, I am sure they must be finding this weekend's tragedy particularly sobering. Their parents and friends too. I certainly do.

So R.i.P. Aidan Goulding and Hayden Lykkemark of British Columbia, Shaun Farrell of Saskatchewan, and Morgan Wong, of Alberta. You served your country - and the world - well. Thank you for your service (and especially and heart-wrenchingly) your sacrifice.

I doubt our premier-elect is going to lift a finger without public pressure to do so, but for most of us, if there is anything we in Quebec can do, just say the word.

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