Innisfailians and Penholdians joined more than 100 Central Albertans to pay tribute to slain Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and Canada's 116,000 fallen protectors with a balloon-releasing ceremony in Sylvan Lake.
Penhold's Tatyanna Murray of Penhold was drawn to the commemoration for a number of reasons.
“The death of Cpl. Cirillo hit home for me, and it means something for me to participate in this event,” said Murray, who is an EMT student in Calgary in addition to being part of the Penhold Fire Department. “It is amazing to see the strength in numbers coming together to support our troops.”
Brian Pedersen, owner of Innisfail's Brian's Traffic Control, was asked to be part of the event by FortisAlberta.
“I do a lot of work for them and they wanted me to be part of the commemoration,” said Pedersen. “From where we were at the front of the traffic line, we could not see the balloons being let go but it was an honour to be asked to take part. It was a moving ceremony for many people.” Inspired by the 116 flags installed by Veterans Voice of Canada, Red Deer's Michelle Walker decided to do something special to remember Cirillo and Canada's troops. In only four days, she was able to mobilize Alberta Transport, the RCMP, Veterans Voice of Canada and volunteers for a special moment in Canada's history.
“We are here to commemorate the memory of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and the 116,000 men and women who have fallen to protect our country since the War of 1812,” said Walker. “When I first heard about the Flags of Remembrance and the death of Cirillo, I had to do something.”
And do something she did.
“There were a few burps along the way, but everything has turned out well,” said Walker of the event, which drew service personnel from Lacombe to Penhold and beyond.
Starting at 7 a.m., the ditch alongside the Flags of Remembrance began to fill up with people from all walks of life who were given a balloon to release at 8 a.m. (10 a.m. Eastern Time) -- the same time that Cirillo was gunned down in Ottawa. Bill Christie, Red Deer Public School Board trustee sang Amazing Grace and O Canada, while Buck Buchanan, ex-RCMP officer and Red Deer City councillor, played the bagpipes in the early morning ceremony. As 8 a.m. approached, a bugler played the Last Post that punctuated the cool morning air and 116 balloons of remembrance floated into the air, one for each 1,000 of the fallen soldiers since the War of 1812.
While many participants are active servicemen or women, Ryan Vigh of Red Deer had a special reason to release a balloon.
“I just wanted to say thank you,” said Vigh.
