A military search and rescue technician who died during training exercise near Yorkton on March 8 was honoured March 13 in a ramp ceremony at the Royal Canadian Air Force base in Winnipeg where he had been stationed.
Master-Corporal Alfred Barr, a member of the RCAF 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 17 Wing Winnipeg lost his life when his parachute failed to open, military sources revealed on March 10. An invesitgation into why that happened is ongoing.
“On behalf of all 17 Wing Winnipeg and the entire RCAF, I would like to express my condolences to Master-Corporal Alfred Barr’s family, friends and fellow service members,” said Colonel Andy Cook, 17 Wing Commander. “Master-Corporal Barr was a valuable member of 435 Squadron’s Search and Rescue team, and he will be deeply missed.”
Similar tributes were issued by General Jonathan Vance, chief of National Defence staff, and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.
Barr was from Lethbridge, Alberta and was engaged to be married to Stéphanie Hempel who provided a written statement to media on Monday.
“Alfred Barr was the most amazing man I have ever known,” she wrote. “He was incredibly kind and thoughtful, someone who always put others before himself.
“He was continually encouraging and positive, even in difficult circumstances, and motivated me and others to be hard working and try different things. He valued his family immensely and also became an integral member of my family.”
There was also an outpouring of personal remembrances on Facebook.
“You are one of the purest, most whimsical souls I’ve ever met,” wrote Chana Trudel in a public post. “You made me smile and inspired me. I truly looked forward to every new update of the amazing things you were accomplishing in life.”
.JPG;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
