Highschool unveils dedication to soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice, 'It takes my breath away'

Paying tribute to a hero Sault Ste. Marie highschool names a fieldhouse after a soldier who died while serving in Afghanistan. Lincoln Louttit reports

A new building at Superior Heights Collegiate in Sault Ste. Marie will bear the name of a local military veteran who died during service in Afghanistan.

It was an emotional day for the family of Sergeant John Faught.

His mother and sister said seeing his name on the side of the new field house brings a little happiness to their hearts.

"It takes my breath away,” said Shawna Faught, John’s sister.

“It is such an honour to see his name there. At the same time, there is so much sadness and missing him every day, but knowing that this field itself and being on grounds of our high school would make him so proud and gives me something to show my grandchildren in the future."

"He was a very, very, quiet type of fellow and he never liked a lot of fanfare, but he'd be proud. He would be very proud this, for not just him but all of the soldiers of Canada,” added Donna Crosson, John’s mother.

Faught's childhood friend Owen Whitehead made the trip up from Toronto to be here for the dedication.

The two played high school football together at Bawating Collegiate and won a city title.

"He was tough, he was diligent and he was the leader of the pack,” said Whitehead.

“He was a good friend and he was a good football player."

It’s been seven years since Sergeant Faught was killed in Afghanistan, but his family said the community continues to show them love and support.

"They were behind us when we brought his body back home here to be buried. We were so shocked at the outpouring of love from all of the Saultites,” said Shawna.

“To see this once again, that they continue to keep his memory alive, it just makes our hearts so full of pride."

A plaque with Sergeant Faught's story adorns the field house, so everyone who plays on the field will know about the man who died serving his country.