In a ceremony rich in tradition, 16-year-old Olivia Vernelli of Petawawa, Ont. took on a powerful role during the royal visit to Ottawa on Tuesday, serving as the Queen’s flower bearer during a wreath-laying at the National War Memorial. Chosen to represent Silver Cross families across Canada, Olivia also delivered the official salute, standing in uniform not only on behalf of others, but in memory of her father. “Every time I put on this uniform, I just know that he’s there,” Vernelli said. She wears the same cap badge as her father, Cpl. Scott Vernelli, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009, when Olivia was just six-months-old. “As soon as I was 12-years-old, I wanted to join the third battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps because I knew I would wear the same badge as my late father,” she said. As King Charles III and Queen Camilla paused to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, marking 25 years since the remains were returned to Canada, a small but meaningful symbol of Olivia’s connection to her father sat quietly on the sidelines. A tiny stuffed teddy bear, sent overseas to her father when Olivia was just days old, was tied to his backpack with a red ribbon. After his death, the bear was found intact by his comrades and returned home. “It’s just so amazing because it kind of reminds me of me because I’m wearing my red sash and it has the little ribbon on it,” Vernelli said. The ceremony was especially emotional for Olivia’s mother, Marcie Lane — a Canadian Armed Forces veteran herself, who was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. “When I saw Their Majesties coming closer to Olivia, I took a deep breath and thought, this is for us,” Lane said. “This is for strong military families because we go through so much adversity, but we’re stronger together. I was just so proud and I felt her dad with us today. She couldn’t have done a better job.” Looking ahead, Olivia hopes to continue her family’s legacy of service. She plans to apply to the Royal Military College in Kingston and is considering a future in the military or policing.
