They came from near and far to Support the Troops Rally
Cpl. Albert Storm and Cpl. Tyler Crooks will be remembered
Posted By TONY RICCIUTO Review Staff Writer
Their sacrifice is not forgotten.
Two local heroes who lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan, Cpl. Albert Storm from Niagara Falls and Cpl. Tyler Crooks from Port Colborne, plus all the others who have died or are currently serving our country, were fondly remembered during the Support the Troops Rally held on Saturday in Niagara Falls.
Storm and Crooks were members of the Royal Canadian Regiment when they were killed serving in Afghanistan.
“This ceremony is a tribute to our fallen men and women in Afghanistan and a stark reminder of the sacrifices by all of our Canadian and American soldiers and their families as they serve with honour in conflicts overseas,” said Niagara Falls Mayor Ted Salci.
“We also offer our support to the families of our fallen soldiers as they struggle to go on without them in their daily lives and we humbly thank you for their sacrifice.”
The rally was held outside under sunny skies at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 479 on Spring Street.
Earlier in the day, a strong downpour that moved across the city had organizer Mike Blais, president of the Royal Canadian Regiment Association, Niagara Branch, a bit worried about the turnout.
The rain stopped by early afternoon and there was a good crowd on hand. Many of the visitors, who were Canadian Army Veteran supporters, rode in on motorcycles carrying flags behind their vehicles. Some were caught in the rain earlier in the morning, but they didn’t complain.
Blais said Storm, 36, who was a resident of Niagara Falls for many years, was only three years away from retirement when he and Regimental Sergeant Major Bobby Girouard were killed by a Taliban suicide bomber on Nov. 27, 2006.
Maureen and Rob Maxwell, along with their three boys and a niece, Ashley Maxwell, were there to remember Tyler Crooks, who was going to be a future family member. Tyler was going to marry Ashley’s sister, Kelly Maxwell.
“We still can’t believe what happened,” said Maureen, who along with other family members carried photos, signs and banners to show their support.
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“Maybe we can do this more often so that we don’t forget and also to show our support for the troops who are still over there and hope that they come home safe.”
Rob said they think of Tyler every day and it doesn’t matter if they happen to be at home or at work.
“This has affected our family greatly. We think of him every day, we love him and we miss him,” said Rob.
Crooks, 24, was killed in March by a bomb while on a military mission outside Kandahar city. He was a member of November Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment.
During the afternoon, raffle tickets were sold for a variety of prizes that were donated by Niagara’s business community. Those funds will be used to support the Fort Erie volunteer fire department’s mission to build the Cpl. Albert Storm CD Memorial Playground.
Deputy Chief Jeff Putnam explained more about that project and how it will benefit those children in the community.
Other guest speakers included Major General Walter Holmes, MBE, CD, (ret) Colonel of The Royal Canadian Regiment, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada MP Rob Nicholson, Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor and St. Catharines MP Rick Dykstra.
Lois Carter, who is originally from Niagara Falls and comes from a military background, currently has a son, John Summers, serving in Afghanistan. He left at the end of May and is expected back sometime in November.
A few years ago, her daughter, Tammy Ayer, also served in Afghanistan for six months.
“This brings tears to my eyes to see the support. My son will be amazed when I tell him about this.”
Carter, who joined the Air Force in 1968 and later married someone in the military, said a day doesn’t go by when she doesn’t worry about her son.
They are able to stay in contact by telephone and email on a regular basis, unless there is a problem at which time there is a total shutdown of communication.
Rita Robinson, who is from Fenwick, said we need to support our veterans because many of them put their lives on the line for the rest of us.
“We want them to know that we are here to help them when they get out. Some of them might be lost and really don’t know what to do. They need to know there are people who will support and guide them, people to talk to and who will point them in the right direction for any help they might need.”
Ken Blanchard, who is also from Fenwick and spent 14 years in the military, said it’s good to stay in touch with others who know what it’s like to have gone through some of the same experiences.
“Even if you don’t know some of these guys you can sit down and talk to them. They know what you are going through and they don’t judge you,” said Blanchard, who served in peace time and never went to war, but was able to witness first-hand the ugly side of war.
“It’s a terrible thing. I’m proud of my boys,” said Blanchard.
Lois McCabe of Niagara Falls, who was dressed in red and white and was carrying both a Canadian flag and a banner, said we all need to support our soldiers wherever they might be deployed.
“We should think about them and pray for them, and especially for their families. I truly support the troops and feel more people should be involved.”
Doug Christian, who is from London, Ontario, and is president of their local Canadian Army Veteran unit, said most of their members are former Royal Canadian Regiment and they came to show their support.
They came down on seven motorcycles and one vehicle and were joined by other units from Hamilton and Toronto.
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