Prince George, B.C.- Corporal Darren Fitzpatrick has been laid to rest.

The wind calmed as the RCMP in red serge lead a slow march procession to the gravesite in the Veterans section of the Prince George Cemetery early this afternoon.

The RCMP were followed by members of the 3^rd Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry ( Corporal Fitzpatrick’s unit) members of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Prince George Fire Department, Paramedics, and numerous cadets as they preceded the hearse which carried the flag draped casket of the 21 year old Prince George native.

A dozen riflemen with the Princess Patricia’s took their place and with their firearms in reverse position, bowed their heads.

The Honour Guard carried the casket to the graveside. Those in uniform removed their hats, and held them over their hearts as  Military Padre Captain Father Jean El Dahdouh talked of  Corporal Fitzpatrick’s main motivation and passion being the protection of  human rights “Darren sacrificed his own life, as have many other soldiers, to plant the seed of love and peace around the world.”

With the committal complete, the riflemen were told to raise their firearms, and when the last strains of the bugler’s song were lost on the breeze, they fired three shots into the air.

Members of the Honour Guard carefully folded the flag that had blanketed the casket, and presented it to Darren’s mother.

Two by two, those in uniform marched to the foot of the grave, saluted, turned, and marched down the roadway where they would take their place to honour the Fitzpatrick family. As the family walked down that same path, each person in uniform saluted.

The wind that had calmed for the duration of the ceremony, picked up a little, and the flag that flies in the Veteran’s section of the cemetery started to billow once again. It’s single poppy image and three word message having new meaning for the family  and friends of Darren Fitzpatrick and for all who live in Prince George…”Lest We Forget.”

Here are some images from today's service: