Bryan Brulotte: Wainwright tragedy a reminder of the dangers our soldiers face

Canada is mourning a terrible tragedy at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, in Alberta, where a devastating fire that broke out during training exercises claimed the lives of four Canadian military personnel and left others seriously injured. Behind these heartbreaking losses are sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, whose lives and families have been forever changed. It is a painful reminder that military service carries risks, even when Canada is at peace.

For most Canadians, military service is something witnessed through television coverage, Remembrance Day ceremonies or the occasional sight of soldiers in uniform. For those who serve, however, military life carries risks that extend far beyond the battlefield. The tragedy at Wainwright reminds us that the profession of arms demands courage, sacrifice and an acceptance of dangers that most Canadians will never face.

Those who have served for decades in the Canadian Armed Forces understand the extraordinary bonds that develop between the men and women who wear the uniform. They have witnessed the consequences of tragedy and the profound effect that injury and loss can have on soldiers, their comrades and their families.

Such experiences never leave those who have served, because the military is not simply an occupation but a brotherhood forged through shared hardship, loyalty and service.

There is something particularly heartbreaking about losing soldiers during peacetime training. These Canadians were not fighting on foreign soil, confronting an enemy or defending a distant position under fire. They were preparing themselves to answer their country’s call, undertaking the demanding and sometimes dangerous training necessary to ensure they would be ready when Canada needs them.

Military training cannot be entirely separated from danger, because preparing for combat requires realism, discipline and exposure to difficult conditions. Soldiers train with weapons, explosives, heavy equipment and vehicles, often operating in unforgiving terrain and extreme weather. Sailors confront the hazards of the sea, aviators accept the risks of flight and special operations personnel routinely undertake demanding exercises that test the limits of human endurance.

None of this diminishes the Forces’ responsibility to make training as safe as reasonably possible. Every military tragedy deserves a thorough, transparent investigation, with lessons identified and corrective measures implemented wherever necessary. Accepting that military service involves risk must never mean accepting preventable deaths or injuries as inevitable.

Yet what distinguishes those who serve is their willingness to accept personal risk for something greater than themselves. They do not enlist because military life promises comfort, wealth or an easy existence. They volunteer because they believe that Canada, its people, its freedoms and its future are worth defending.

The nation must also remember the families who stand behind every serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces. Military spouses, parents and children understand the uncertainty that accompanies deployments, demanding exercises and long separations. For the families affected by the Wainwright tragedy, that uncertainty has now become an unimaginable sorrow, and they deserve the enduring compassion and support of a grateful nation.

The first responders, medical professionals and emergency personnel who rushed toward danger also deserve recognition. Their courage, professionalism and determination brought assistance and hope to those facing some of the darkest moments of their lives. They, too, represent the finest qualities of service and duty.

At moments like this, political differences should disappear, replaced by a shared recognition of what military service truly represents. Canada owes its soldiers more than ceremonial gratitude, and their families more than expressions of sympathy that fade with the passing headlines. They deserve sustained support, proper care and an enduring national commitment to those who sacrifice so much on behalf of their country.

To the families grieving their loved ones, the nation extends its deepest condolences, and to those injured, its heartfelt prayers for recovery. To the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, Canadians owe profound respect and gratitude for their courage, dedication and willingness to serve. Canada mourns with them, Canada stands beside them and Canada must never forget the price that some are called upon to pay in the service of our country.

Lest we forget.

National Post