The Governor General will be stopping in Humboldt to present commendations to the city’s citizens and first responders in connection to the Broncos crash.
For Julie Payette, the Humboldt stop on Oct. 20 will be part of her first official visit in her role as the Queen's representative in Canada to Saskatchewan. While she’s here, the Governor General will also visit the Broncos Memorial Exhibit at the Humboldt and District Museum as well as attend a Broncos game.
“I was very touched, like every Canadian, by the terrible accident at the time it happened,” she said. “At the time of the tragedy, we had discussions and the prime minister went to the memorial and it was sort of decided that I would later to go do honours.”
The Governor General said she wanted to do both but felt there was a fine line to deal with.
“When you have a difficult time – these were young people that had their lives in front of them – there’s a huge amount of private grief – and done in public circumstances.”
The former astronaut said she knows how difficult it can be because lived it firsthand after the space shuttle Columbia failed to return to Earth on Feb. 1, 2003.
“Aboard that space shuttle that did not come home, there was one of my closest friends and her name was Laurel. Laurel Blair Salton Clark was her full name. However, I was five months pregnant at the time of the tragedy and my son was named after her.”
Her son’s name is Laurier, the French word for the laurel plant.
“I know what it’s like to lose people that are dear to us in terrible circumstances which have played out in the public,” Payette said. “How do you cope with that loss, injustice of it all and with the grief? I hope I have a chance to talk about this with the people in the community.”
The two commendations the Governor General is giving for outstanding service will be presented at a ceremony.
“The fact that we’re presenting commendations, it really means that we recognize that the community has been so inspirational, so strong and so courageous in the face of adversity,” Payette said. “It’s a way to say all Canadians were behind you.”
Payette has never been to Humboldt before, but she did take her pilot training at the Canadian Forces base near Moose Jaw. One of the reasons she’s coming to the province this time of year is to take in the Snowbirds’ year-end performance.
The Governor General said she’d like to meet local residents during her visit to Humboldt.
“I would be very, very pleased if people come and talk to me and tell me how they feel about this, their story. I’m looking forward to meeting the people and honouring them.”
