Soldiers walk to Ottawa for comrades lost in Wainwright fire
The five-soldier tribute raises support for affected military families, while friends remember Private Aidan Goulding's humor and encouragement.
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Soldiers walk 156 km to honour fallen comrades
Private Nathan Thomas remembers Aidan Goulding as the friend who kept others going. After Goulding's death in a military training fire, Thomas and four fellow soldiers undertook a long walk in his memory and for others affected by the disaster.
"He always kept the guys motivated and kept us pushing forward," Thomas tells reporter Kimberley Johnson in Canada's CTV News report.
The soldiers arrived at Ottawa's National War Memorial on Sunday morning carrying Canadian and regimental flags. Their journey from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa in Ontario to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier took about 35 hours, covering more than 150 kilometers. The tomb, in front of the memorial, holds the remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier killed in France during the First World War.
The march was organized quickly, with the soldiers getting only an hour of sleep before setting off, according to the report. They aimed to raise $10,000 for victims, survivors and military families affected by the fire.
The broadcaster reports that an explosion and fire during training at CFB Wainwright in Alberta on October 17 killed four soldiers: Sergeant Morgan Wong and Privates Shaun Farrell, Aidan Goulding and Hayden Lykkemark. Citing military officials, the report says 27 injured members remained hospitalized, including 13 in critical condition. An armed forces investigation could take up to a year.
For Thomas and Private Logan Toupin, the tribute also meant remembering Goulding's humor and the encouragement he offered during difficult moments on their course. Their injured and fallen peers stayed in mind as the walk became harder.
"We really thought about the boys that had to go through this and kept pushing for them," Thomas says.
A granite arch with bronze sculptures in Ottawa, commemorating Canadians killed in war. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands in front of it.
More on Wikipedia ›A Canadian Army base in Petawawa, Ontario, also known as Garrison Petawawa.
More on Wikipedia ›A tomb in front of Ottawa's National War Memorial, dedicated to Canadian service members. It contains the remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier who died in France during the First World War.
More on Wikipedia ›A Canadian Forces base in Denwood, Alberta, next to the town of Wainwright.
More on Wikipedia ›Published on Trari
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