Military funeral for Capt. Thomas McQueen in Hamilton Wednesday

Amilitary funeral forCanadian Forces pilot,Capt. ThomasMcQueenwill be held in Hamilton Wednesday.

The public is welcome at the ceremony, to be held at Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum at Hamilton's John. C MunroAirport.

I think it will be quite a moving ceremony andsalute to a talented young man.- DaveRohrer, CWH Museumpresident &CEO

"We're planning for a large crowd because he was well-known in the local community and he was active at the museum," said Dave Rohrer, president and CEO of the museum.

He says the venue accommodates about1,600 people but he's anticipating it might even be abigger turnout.

McQueen, a native of nearby Fisherville, waskilled inlast Monday's fatal fighter jet crash near Cold Lake,Alta.

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The service for the10-year flying veteran, will begin at11 a.m. and is expected tolast an hour and a half. FourCF-18Hornets from 3 WingBagotville, Que. will perform a flyby during the service.

"I think it will be quite a moving ceremony andsalute to a talented young man," Rohrer said.

Afterward, McQueen's body will travel down Highway 401 to connect withthe Highway of Heroes, before arriving atthe National Military Cemetery at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa.

Rohrer told CBC News that theLieutenant GovernorofOntario,Elizabeth Dowdeswell,MPDiane Finleyand members of the Canadian Air Force will be in attendance.

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The 29-year-old was born and grew up inFisherville, Ont., a small hamlet outside Hamilton, but lived in Cold Lake, Alta., three hours north ofEdmonton with his fiance. A memorial for McQueenwas held last weekend inFishervillle, Ont. where his parents still live.

Canadian flags will be at half-mastWednesdaythroughout the cityfor themilitary funeral.