June 21: Fort Erie Remembers
On the short drive from St.Catharine's to Fort Erie, the Portraits of Honour convoy was once again met with waving flags, and saluting police officers and firemen, on the bridges overhead. It was clear that the communities in the Niagara Peninsula were deeply affected by losses in Afghanistan, with three fallen troops from the area: Cpl. Tyler Crooks, Warrant Officer Dennis Brown and Cpl. Albert Storm.
After a brief ceremony which included some local dignitaries, legion members and a cheque presentation from the local Kinette club, artist Dave Sopha and a small group of locals proceeded to a nearby park for a more personal ceremony of their own.
After the death of Cpl. Albert Storm, money was raised to create a park in his honour which now has a playground area and open space for children and families to enjoy time together. It also has a memorial rock which depicts Cpl. Storm and tells the story of his service in Afghanistan. When Cpl. Storm fell in Afghanistan, one of the troops who pulled him from the field scooped up a handful of sand where he had fallen. Upon return to Canada, he brought some of that sand to Dave Sopha saying that some of the earth where his friend had taken his last breath should stay near memorials to him. Upon hearing of this park in the fallen soldier's honour, it seemed fitting that some of this sand should also be spread there, and in the afternoon sun a handful of this sand where he had spent his last earthly moments was spread in the place where his memory will live on forever.
The Communities in the Niagara Peninsula will never forget.