Three years after their son Darren died serving his country in Afghanistan, Jim and Colleen Fitzpatrick were the first to lay a wreath on Monday morning during Remembrance Day ceremonies at the cenotaph.
The couple wore their Memorial Crosses as they took in the ceremony and remembered their son. Cpl. Darren Fitzpatrick was 21 years old when he was killed in action in March 2010, the first Prince George born and raised solider to die in combat since the Second World War.
"I've been going to Remembrance Day services since I was kid, and this has changed the way I see Remembrance Day," Jim said prior to laying the wreath with his wife.
The Silver Cross mother traditionally is the first to put a wreath in front of the memorial, as a symbol for all mothers who have lost sons in action. In recent years the military has expanded who can receive a Memorial Cross to other family members as well.
The Fitzpatrick family was buoyed on Monday by the support they received by some of the veterans who served with Darren and who made the trip to Prince George to be present in Darren's hometown on Remembrance Day.
"They've moved on to different jobs, but they're all here," Jim said. "They'll never forget."
On Thursday, Darren will be honoured again as Canadian Blood Services concludes a province-wide drive for donations in his name. Clinics have been held in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, but on Thursday it's Prince George's turn to donate blood at the clinic on Westwood Drive and help Darren's legacy live on by providing the gift of live to others in need.
"It's important to us," Jim said, noting a video produced about Darren last year is part of the promotional package. "It's a win-win for us."
As Jim and Colleen made their way from the Civic Centre to the cenotaph, they took a moment to look at all the people who came out remember Canada's fallen soldiers.
"As parents we really don't want people to forget and this really shows that," Jim said.
