Members of the Hunt family saw two relatives honoured Thursday at the unveiling of a memorial for those who have died while serving as search-and-rescue volunteers in B.C.
The Hunts, members of the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nation from Alert Bay, performed a dance to open a ceremony marking the occasion on the legislature grounds. They were among several families at the event.
Terena Hunt was just 48 days old when her father, Reginald, her uncle Alfred and two of their close friends, Norman Wilson and Victor E. Hanuse, died in a plane crash while on a flight for Provincial Emergency Program Air, known as PEP Air, on March 28, 1970.
“Dad was the pilot,” Terena Hunt said. “They were actually looking for another aircraft that was believed to have gone down and ended up crashing themselves due to an air current coming off the mountain.”
Her son, Alan, said he is proud of the monument and of having the chance to perform.
“It’s an interesting way to bring closure for something that I wasn’t even alive for,” he said.
The family was recently on the receiving end of search-and-rescue help when a cousin was missing for almost three days after getting lost while hiking near Nanaimo, Terena Hunt said. Searchers found the 20-year-old and brought him to safety.
The new memorial includes the names of 17 people who have lost their lives over the past 50 years.
It is in what has been named the B.C. Emergency Services Garden of Honour, which includes monuments for police officers, firefighters and ambulance workers who have died while serving.
PEP Air, the B.C. Search and Rescue Association and Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue worked together to establish the monument, raising $100,000 for the project.
The groups respond to more than 2,000 incidents around B.C. each year, with more than 4,400 volunteers putting in excess of 280,000 hours for rescues and training.
Alton King, director general of PEP Air, said it is important to remember those who have died.
“Through their sacrifice, those named on the memorial here have enabled us to continue their quest to seek out those in distress and provide aid to those in need,” he said.
“Their contributions have been significant. They did not die in vain.”
Pat Quealey, chief executive of Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, said the memorial represents their dedication.
“As a material thing, it will never replace their spirit in our lives, but it may at least provide a humble symbol of remembrance for their loved ones and all whom they continue to inspire,” he said.
The tribute extends to everyone involved in search-and-rescue, Quealey said.
“From all walks of life, they take up the watch to keep safe both neighbours and strangers alike,” he said.
Chris Kelly, president of the B.C. Search and Rescue Association, said he hopes the memorial will bring some solace to loved ones.
“Whatever time has passed, they are remembered and will continue to be. That is a promise of this monument.”
