914 Tusker Memorial, July 13th 2007

Posted on Jul 17 2007 in News

by Elizabeth Measures

“He was the love of my life…” said Sergeant Paul Brazil’s widow in a moving moment at the 914 Tusker Memorial held in Canso on Friday July 13th as she spoke lovingly about her late husband, in a celebration of his life.

The unveiling of the monument by the families of the three lost crew members from the Cormorant helicopter which went down just outside Canso harbour exactly a year ago could not have taken place on a more beautiful day, in stark contrast to the weather conditions a year ago following the accident. A member from each of the three families spoke about their loved ones and all acknowledged the risks faced on a daily basis by those who serve in the protection of others. The unveiling was dedicated to the crew of the Search and Rescue helicopter 914 as a lasting tribute to the people who risk their lives that others may live.

The ceremony was attended by members of the 413 Search and Rescue Squadron, and members of the Canadian Coast Guard. From Canso, there were members of the Auxiliary Coast Guard, and members of the Fire Department who were present at the time of the accident as well as those who came to the assistance of the downed helicopter.

The arrangement of the monument dedication service by the Cormorant Memorial Committee included the bugle sounding of Last Post by the 413 Search and Rescue Squadron and a flypast by both a Cormorant helicopter and a Hercules search and rescue plane. The Four Sisters, actively engaged in the exercise with members of the Auxiliary Coast Guard on board at the time of the accident, was also present in the harbour together with the towering RCCG Earl Grey, a Coast Guard vessel.

Other organizations from Canso present were the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corps 281 Canso, and the Fifth Canso Scout Troop, who carried the colours in addition to the squadron colours.

The event brought together almost everyone from Canso as the small area around the Parks Canada Grassy Island National Historic Site filled with people and then spilled out onto the hillside overlooking the ocean, in direct sight of the location where the accident happened a year earlier. The entire community wanted to honour the lives of the lost crewmen, from the Mayor to the youngsters who sat on upturned fish packing boxes to listen to the monument presentation and to the blessing.

The wording on the monument reads,

On July 13 2006 a Canadian Forces helicopter from 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron carrying seven crew members who were exercising rescue techniques with local Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary members, crashed in Canso harbour. In memory of

Sergeant Paul “Duane” Brazil 1956-2006
Master Corporal Kirk Bradley Noel 1972-2006
Corporal Trevor Stirling McDavid 1975-2006

The design of the monument has a small spy hole located in the upper section which allows a line of sight across the ocean to the scene of the accident.