Today we are remembering Sergeant Janick Gilbert that passed away 3 years ago today.
Sergeant Gilbert passed away while responding to a search and rescue call in the high Arctic on this day 3 years ago.
Janick was with our own squadron 424 City of Hamilton Tiger Squadron, based out of Trenton,Ont.
I have personally had the pleasure of meeting his wife while in New York at a function 2 years ago, were his wife was presented with 2 oil paintings of him from Kaziah the goat woman, that were absolutely beautiful.
At this event we had 10 families of the fallen, 3 from Canada, and 7 from upstate New York.
Surprisingly Janicks wife got presented with an extra oil painting of him, a special surprise for all of us in attendance.
The event in the States was a viewing of the great documentary “ If I should Fall”, the story of Trooper Marc Diab that we lost.
One the most beautiful moments that I had was when I introduced 2 Silver Cross Mothers to each other that had never met before, it was a very emotional moment, like they were two long lost sisters, they cried, laughed and hugged, an instant bonding of a family that comes together not by blood lines, but by blood lost.
A year later I was back to CFB Trenton, a place that holds special significance in my life, as its were I started my training as a young Air Cadet in 1974.
This time I was the Guest of Honour at the Annual Mess dinner for 424 Squadron. Sitting between the Base Commander of 8 Wing and the C.O., of 424, we had a great night of laughter, drink and the usual Shenanigans that Mess dinners are famous for.
The laughter ended though when it came time for me to speak, as I told the assembled squadron members of what happened in New York and the love that our American Friends showed for one of their own.
The squadron over 200 strong grew very quite and many an eye welled up with tears that night.
Over the years I have had the honour of getting to know many of the Squadrons men and woman by bringing them to Hamilton for different events over the years, I can tell you they are an incredibly professional bunch of Airmen and women.
I can also tell you that one of the biggest things I have ever been honoured with was something the Squadron was going to do one time, I was very moved by it, and although I declined the offer, it still happened in spirit.
Hamilton, you should be proud of your Squadron, they are keeping us safe, as they respond to Search and Rescue calls on a daily basis. Rest in Peace Sergeant Gilbert.
