Fallen soldiers honoured

Six Canadian service members were honoured Wednesday after a tragic helicopter crash a week ago took their lives.

A repatriation ceremony was held at CFB Trenton for Capt. Kevin Hagen, Sub-Lt. Abbigail Cowbrough, Capt. Brenden Ian MacDonald, Master Cpl. Matthew Cousins, Sub-Lt. Matthew Pyke and Capt. Maxime Miron-Morin.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan were in attendance along with family members of the fallen soldiers and other military members who all wore protective face masks and followed physical distancing protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan attended the repatriation ceremony at CFB Trenton on May 6, 2020. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

Crew members of the HMCS Fredericton flew in on the C17 Globemaster for the repatriation ceremony.

Crew members from the HMCS Fredericton flew in for the repatriation ceremony at CFB Trenton on May 06, 2020 to honour their fallen comrades. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

Pallbearers from 8 Wing Trenton carried the casket to a waiting hearse.

The  five other service members were represented with an escort party from HMCS Fredericton carrying pillows with the headdress of the fallen members, depending on whether they were members of the Royal Canadian Navy or Royal Canadian Air Force.

The remains of one other person have been recovered but not yet identified.

The CH-148 Cyclone helicopter was moments away from landing aboard HMCS Fredericton when it went down in the Ionian Sea, off the coast of Greece at 6:52 p.m. local time last Wednesday, killing the four aircrew and two sailors.

Following the ceremony the motorcade travelled down the Highway of Heroes to Toronto.