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Cameco Canada Remembers Air Show -- 2006

Air show salutes fallen heroes

As the fighter jets took to the skies and skydivers swirled smoke trails behind them at the Cameco Canada Remembers International Air Show on Saturday, time was taken to honour a local hero.
By The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) August 21, 2006

As the fighter jets took to the skies and skydivers swirled smoke trails behind them at the Cameco Canada Remembers International Air Show on Saturday, time was taken to honour a local hero.

RCMP Const. Robin Cameron, who died July 15, eight days after being shot while on duty near Spiritwood, was remembered as an offi cer who loved her job and accepted the risks involved.

As the pipe band played and veterans stood on guard, Howard Cameron, Robin's father, solemnly watched the air show's opening ceremonies, and looked at large photos of his daughter and her partner, Const. Marc Bourdages, who also died as a result of the shooting incident.

"To see my daughter here today brings a lot of emotion. We miss her dearly," Cameron said.

Cameron said that in the Cree tradition, all photographs of someone who has died are taken down for a year, not out of disrespect to the dead, but so there isn't a constant reminder of the loss. After a year, the photographs are rehung.

Cameron said he was honoured that a "spectacular event" like the air show would take the time to honour his daughter and other RCMP members who've lost their lives in the line of duty.

"It goes to show what Canada is made of. The military, the police services, they're all one big family providing safety to us, and at times like this when something happens, we come together," he said.

Others remembered at the air show were members of the Canadian Forces who have died in Afghanistan. To date, 26 soldiers have been killed.

Before the Snowbirds, skydivers and other pilots took to the air, a 21-gun salute was fired in honour of all who have died serving Canada and those veterans still living, such as 84-year-old air force veteran Reg Harrison.

Harrison, who grew up on a farm near Melville, was stationed in England during the Second World War.

"I could fly a four-engine bomber and I couldn't drive a car," Harrison recalled about his time in the air force, as a small plane flew loops overhead. He said he knew how to drive a cart with horses, but not a car.

"I think it was the most satisfying four years of my life," Harrison said.

In a Second World War re-enactment of the American attack on Tokyo after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, American Air Force pilots from St. Paul, Minn., took to the sky in a B-25 bomber called "Miss Mitchell." The bomber, which can reach speeds of 480 km/h, flew low over the runway, igniting explosions of fire and dark smoke as though it was dropping bombs.

Also impressive was William "Fat Daddy" Radiff, pilot of the CF-18 Hornet.

"Fat Daddy" performed tricks in the silver fighter jet that amazed air show fans, their heads tipped back as they looked up into the sunny sky to watch.

He started with a "dirty takeoff," in which he flipped the jet over with the landing gear still out, and he flew figure eights, flipping the jet half-way through.

He flew several hundred metres upside down and took the jet straight up at a 90- degree angle, hitting heights of 20,000 feet.

The Cameco Canada Remembers Air Show is the country's largest tribute to veterans, and those who participate are happy to be involved.

Kevin O'Donnell, a skydiver from Cape Breton, is enjoying his first season with the Canadian Forces SkyHawks parachute team.

"I love it. When you're going 120 miles an hour (free falling), you're actually flying, and when you're coming under your canopy (parachute) everything slows down and it feels different again. It's a lot of fun!" Brian Swidrovich, director of the air show, said the number of people attending this year's event may just be "a hair above average." Although no official count had been done as of Sunday evening, he estimated a little over 30,000 people would have attended the show over the weekend.

samacdonald@sp.canwest.com

© (c) CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc.

2006 Show Highlights

Minister of Veterans Affairs, Honourable Greg Thompson interviewed by media.

Minister Thompson delivers message of respect to crowd, saluting Canada's Veterans.

Minister Thompson is joined by Cst. Michelle Esau (RCMP - B.C.); Jerry Grandey, CEO Cameco Corporation, Title Sponsor; Minister Carol Skelton; Mayor Don Atchison; Minister Thompson; WWII Veteran Gordon Wilson & comrade; Air Show Director Brian Swidrovich; Cst. Shaina Swidrovich

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