Add StudioX as a preferred source on GoogleA veteran whose daughter died during a military training exercise in 2002 has been named the 2026 National Silver Cross Mother, according to Global News Canada. The Royal Canadian Legion says Virginia Hicks will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Nov. 11.
The wreath-laying is an annual tradition carried out on behalf of Canadian mothers who have lost a child serving in the Canadian military.
A daughter lost in Petawawa
Hicks’ daughter, Mariebeth Short, died on Sept. 23, 2002, during a training exercise in Petawawa, Ont. The light armoured vehicle she was training in rolled over.
The Royal Canadian Legion says Hicks’ family has a long history of military service. Hicks herself served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 29 years, working in supply and logistics.
Hicks says she shares a bond with all mothers who have lost a child serving in the military. In a statement, she said they share the same sorrow, bravery, and love and respect for their children.
Ceremony follows Wainwright tragedy
This year’s Remembrance Day ceremony comes just weeks after four Canadian soldiers were killed and dozens more were injured during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright in Alberta.
Two of those killed had ties to British Columbia: Pte. Aidan Goulding of North Vancouver and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark of Langley. The other two were Sgt. Morgan Wong of Edmonton and Pte. Shaun Farrell of Prince Albert, Sask.
The four were killed in a grass fire last month. Strong, sudden winds pushed the nearby fire toward 84 members of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, who were conducting two exercises in the base’s training area. The base is about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.
Investigation under way
Prime Minister Mark Carney said the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service is leading a full investigation into the tragedy, with support from the RCMP.
Hicks will carry out the wreath-laying at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Remembrance Day, Nov. 11.
Source: Global News Canada
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving multilingual diaspora communities across Canada. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, NEPMCC, and the Canadian Freelance Union (Unifor). Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca
