6 Canadian service members killed in helicopter crash honoured at CFB Trenton ceremony

For years, Cpl. Simon Pittarelliwould end every phone conversation with his sister,Sub-Lt. Abbigail Cowbrough, with "I love you."

That means more to him now than ever, asCowbroughwasone of sixCanadian military members killed in last week's helicopter crash off the coast of Greece who werehonoured at a repatriation ceremony in Ontario Wednesday.

In the end, that "I love you" markedPittarelli'sfinalwords to his sister.

"It kind of proves even morethat every person you talk to that's meaningful to you, you should always end the phone call with an 'I love you,'"he told CBC News.

The ceremony was heldat CFB Trenton, about 175 kilometres northeast of Toronto,with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjanand Gov. Gen.Julie Payette in attendance. In the midst ofthe COVID-19 pandemic, family members, military members and politicians alike wore protective masks.

A long line of family members, some holding flowers and walking with children, stood in groupsduring the ceremony. Others dabbed at their eyes with tissues. Trudeau met privately with families before the proceedingsbegan to express his condolences.

Cowbrough'scasket, which was draped in the Canadian flag, was slowly carried out of a CC-177 Globemasterby fellow military members while the mournful sound ofbagpipes played. Her family then gathered next to a hearse after the casketwas placed inside.

OnApril 29, aCH-148 Cyclone crashed in the Ionian Sea while taking part in NATO exercises. Defence officials have said it was returning to HMCSFredericton at the end of a NATO training mission.

The remains of Cowbrough, who was a naval officer, were subsequently recovered.The other five service members on board are missing and presumed dead.

The other five service members areCapt. Brenden Ian MacDonald, a pilot originally from New Glasgow, N.S.; Sub-Lt. Matthew Pyke, a naval warfare officer originally from Truro, N.S.; Capt. Kevin Hagen, a pilot originally from Nanaimo, B.C.; Capt. Maxime Miron-Morin, an air combat systems officer originally from Trois-Rivires, Que.; and Master Cpl. Matthew Cousins, an airborne electronic sensor operator originally from Guelph, Ont.

The remains of one other person have been recovered but not yet identified.

Because their bodies haven't been found, the five missingservicememberswererepresented at the ceremony by different military service caps, depending on whether they were members of the Royal Canadian Navy or Royal Canadian Air Force.

Military members carried those caps off the plane, much likeCowbrough's casket, before placing each of them inside waiting hearses.

The families then gatheredone by one next to the empty hearses, embracing each other and crying.

Watch:Ceremony honours six Canadian service members killed in crash

Ceremony honours six Canadian service members killed in crash

4 years ago

Duration 1:59

A repatriation ceremony for six military members killed in a recent helicopter crash was held at CFB Trenton on Wednesday.

Pandemic'seffect still felt

Earlier in the week, the Department of National Defence said Canadian Armed Forces members, with the exception of pallbearers, would practisephysicaldistancing at the ceremonyto protect the health of those in attendance.

"Despite the challenges presented by the current COVID-19 environment and the need to maintain physical distancing, 8 Wing/CFB Trenton is committed to a dignified and respectful repatriation for our fallen aviators and sailors," the department said in an email on Tuesday.

Cowbrough was a marine systems engineering officer on the HMCS Fredericton and had lived in Dartmouth, N.S., for much of her life.

Pittarellisaid he's going to miss his "big sister," who people often said was a "beautiful, vibrant" woman with a smile you couldn't help but notice.

Growing up, if their mom was out of the house,Cowbroughwas in charge.

"She definitely was a fitting person to become an officer," he said."She took charge, she gave orders she was definitely an older sister for sure."

Retired major Tim Dunne, a 32-year veteran of Canada's Armed Forces, told CBC News it's anincredibly difficult time for those in the military.

"These people become another family for you. When you see a situation like this, it brings home the fact that when people serve together, their relationship becomes very, very hard-formed," he said.

"Canada will be a lesser place without them."

Motorcade to Toronto

Following the ceremony, amotorcade withthe hearses left and drovealong Highway 401heading to Toronto, where a coroner's examination will be conducted.

A portion of Highway 401 is called the Highway of Heroes to mark the road that soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan travelled between CFB Trenton and Toronto in their final journey home.

When the bodies of soldiersarerepatriated, people oftenline the overpasses of the highwayto pay their respects. This time, officials askedpeople not to gatherbecause of the pandemic though footage fromnear the base showedsmall groups of people still did, with some brandishing Canadian flags.

"For those who may feel it necessary to have a physical presence at roadside or overpasses along the Highway of Heroes, we ask that you join us in respecting COVID-19 restrictions and practice physical distancing while paying respects," the department said.

Pittarellisaid it "sucks" that people aren't able to show their support in the way they normally would, but it's "what we have to do."

"I know for a fact that every Canadian in this country cares and every soldier in this country cares," he said.

It's still not clear what caused the CH-148 Cyclone to crash, but the helicopter's flight data recorders were found in the debris and will be analyzed at the National Research Council in Ottawa.