CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston
The Grey Cup reached Calgary on Monday under traditional bagpipe music and a Canadian Forces escort, marking both the start of championship week and a solemn tribute to soldiers killed in a recent Alberta base fire.
Transported by horse-drawn wagon to Mewata Armoury and then marched inside, the CFL trophy was received in a ceremony that mixed celebration with remembrance.
Col. Kyle Clapperton, commander of 41 Canadian Brigade Group, became emotional as he spoke. He described the trophy’s arrival as the beginning of festivities and a time for reflection, made especially meaningful this year by the deaths of four soldiers on Oct. 17 during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright, southeast of Edmonton.
Dozens of others were injured after strong and sudden winds sent flames from a nearby grass fire racing toward a group of 84 soldiers from the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
The soldiers who died were: Pte. Shaun Farrell, 23, of Prince Albert, Sask.; Pte. Aidan Goulding, 23, of North Vancouver, B.C.; Pte. Hayden Lykkemark, 19, of Langley, B.C.; and Sgt. Morgan Wong, 26, of Edmonton.
Armed Forces members attended the arrival, which saw CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston acknowledge the heavy loss carried by the military community.
The Edmonton Elks play the Montreal Alouettes for the Cup at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium on Sunday.
Kick off set for 5pm.
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