COMMUNITY – Memorial art display pays tribute to Capt. Jennifer Casey

A memorial art display — a 1:1 ratio of a Royal Canadian Air Force CT-114 Tutor Snowbird — is being installed at Fulton Field Park adjacent to the Kamloops Airport as a tribute to fallen Royal Canadian Airforce Capt. Jennifer Casey.

Cap. Casey was killed when her Snowbird jet crashed in Kamloops on May 17, 2020 during Operation Inspiration, a mission created to salute those who were doing their part to fight the spread of COVID-19 and bring hope and inspiration to Canadians during the early stages of the pandemic.

Flowers, signs, Canadian flags, and personal mementos lined the fence of what would become Fulton Field Park to pay tribute to Casey, the Snowbirds team, and Capt. Richard MacDougall, who was seriously injured in the crash.

The City has long planned to construct Fulton Field Park to commemorate John Fulton, a decorated World War II veteran killed in action in 1942, after whom the airport lands — Fulton Field — are named.

The park has been included in City plans since 2012.

“We wanted her memorial to help carry on her encouraging mission,” said local artist and May She Soar monument creator Sarah Holliday.

“The maple leaves are meant to be a mosaic of our collective grief at the loss of Jennifer Casey, while the branches represent Canadians joining together to lift up the memory of a hero.

Holliday worked with local metalworks company Raw Elements Design, which managed the project and fabricated and installed the monument.

“The installation features clean-cut lines, angles, and a modern look, making it consistent with the formal lines of the future Fulton Park design,” continued Holliday.

“The shape and sideways lean of the plane resemble a Snowbird high in the sky performing aeronautical maneuvers, which is meant to celebrate the relationship and history between the Kamloops Airport and the Royal Canadian Air Force.”

Fulton Field Park will be completed later this year. At that point, residents will be invited to visit the park and enjoy its amenities, including the art piece, a multi-use pathway, tree varieties, rocking Adirondack chairs, and accessible picnic tables.

During construction, residents are reminded that the park remains closed as crews work to finish the project in conjunction with the Tranquille Gateway Improvements Project.