Local MLA Shirley Bond shared a story in legislature Friday about a Canadian soldier who lost his life while serving our country.
She talked about Prince George-born Corporal Darren Fitzpatrick, who was in Afghanistan in 2010 on foot patrol when he was badly injured by an improvised explosive device.
Fitzpatrick was transferred back to Canada to an Edmonton hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, surrounded by his family.
Bond explains what she saw when at the Prince George airport.
“As we waited for our flight a large commercial airliner arrived and parked in front of our departure gate. It was unusual, but the reason for the arrival would become painfully apparent. We watched as people disembarked and began to gather on the tarmac rather then entering the airport. Before our eyes the under belly of the aircraft opened and the flag draped casket of a young Canadian soldier emerged.”
She says everyone in the airport became unexpected participants in the ramp ceremony of the 21-year-old soldier.
Fitzpatrick was the first born and raised soldier from PG to die in combat since the Second World War.
Bond ended her statement by thanking the Fitzpatrick family for reminding her that our freedom comes at a price.
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