Pembroke gathered to mourn and remember those affected by the fire that left four Canadian Armed Forces members dead and dozens more injured at CFB Wainwright in Alberta last weekend. The candlelight vigil held at Memorial Cenotaph Park gathered various members of the community, including residents, current and former members of Canada’s military, and local leaders. Shayne Jewitt said he organized the vigil to mourn those who were lost and to support Canadian Armed Forces personnel in the region. Pembroke is located just 20 minutes from Garrison Petawawa, with thousands of service members calling the Ottawa Valley home. Jewitt spoke about the region’s connection to Canada’s military. “They are neighbors and our friends, we go to school with them, we eat with them, and they’re part of the community,” he said. “If they need help or if they need support, then we should be able to do that for them.” Four soldiers were killed and 39 others were wounded when a fire rapidly spread over an area where troops were conducting a training exercise at the base near the town of Wainwright, Alta. on Oct. 17. On Wednesday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said 27 of the 39 soldiers taken to hospital after the fire are still being treated, with 13 in critical condition. The four deceased have been identified as Pte. Aidan Goulding, Pte. Shaun Farrell, Pte. Hayden Lykkemark, Sgt. Morgan Wong. Pembroke Mayor Ron Gervais said the tragedy hits home for members of the military in the city, recalling the crash of a CH-147F Chinook helicopter near CFB Petawawa on June 23, 2023, that killed two pilots. “The community is mourning, and the community wants to do something to come together to remember those that have passed away, as well as those that are injured,” he said. “I’m very thankful to the organizers, Branch 72, as well as the City of Pembroke, for coming together to do this to allow us to mourn.” Wendy Jocko spoke to the crowd gathered during the vigil. Jocko, a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, lost her son, who served in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, three years ago. “It was quite a traumatic experience, of course. And I can only imagine what the mothers and the fathers and the sisters and brothers are going through at this very moment,” she said. Jocko says the rally of support for the military mirrors what has been seen across the country. “The call to support the Canadian Forces based in Wainwright has been overwhelming,” she said. “It says a lot for this town.” Other cities and towns across eastern Ontario have been holding vigils and sending their condolences to the victims. The Town of Petawawa, home of Garrison Petawawa, extended its “profound respect and appreciation” to the victims, the people of Wainwright, and for health-care workers. The House of Commons held a moment of silence for the victims of the fire and flags on federal buildings, including the Peace Tower, are being flown at half-mast. The City of Ottawa said that it would also lower all flags to half-mast until further notice. With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Shaun Vardon
