Wainwright honours soldiers killed, injured in fire: ‘Tragedy befell this small town’

Detailed summary

Hundreds gathered at the Wainwright arena for a Remembrance Day ceremony that hit closer to home for the central Alberta military community, still shaken from last month's tragedy.

Hundreds in a hockey arena stood for a moment of silence before Rev. Mokwadi Basele led them in prayer.

His thoughts were of the four soldiers killed more than three weeks ago in a wind-propelled grass fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright.

“God, we come closer to home, we come to Wainwright, as we remember the tragedy that befell this small town,” said the minister with Grace United Church at Wednesday’s Remembrance Day service in the town southeast of Edmonton.

The minister also prayed for a quick recovery for the many others still in hospital with severe burns.

“We lift up those who were injured and all who continue to heal in hospitals and at home, as well as comrades from the base and friends who live with shock and grief.”

The four who died were honoured at ceremonies across Alberta and Canada.

Pte. Shaun Farrell, 23, of Prince Albert, Sask.; Pte. Aidan Goulding, 23, of North Vancouver, B.C.; and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark, 19, of Langley, B.C.; and Sgt. Morgan Wong, 26, of Edmonton died in the Oct. 17 blaze.

A few blocks from the Peace Memorial Multiplex, some left flowers and wreaths at the base of a historic, century-old fieldstone tower commemorating Canadians who died in the First and Second World Wars.

Veteran Sean Hansen said Remembrance Day is always special in the town, but it feels different this year because of the fire.

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