EDITORIAL – Fulton Field park a fitting way to honour Capt. Jenn Casey

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

ABOUT A HUNDRED friends, dignitaries and guests gathered today (Aug. 29, 2024) at the south end of Fulton Field to officially open the Jenn Casey Memorial.

Capt. Casey died in that terrible crash on May 17, 2020, when the Tutor jet she was flying in suddenly lost altitude and plunged into a Brocklehurst neighbourhood. An RCAF public affairs officer, she had been instrumental in Operation Inspiration, a cross-Canada Snowbirds tour aimed at lifting spirits during the COVID pandemic.

After their aircraft was struck by a bird and lost power, she and pilot Capt. Richard McDougall ejected. McDougall, though badly injured, survived.

In the days following the tragedy, a variety of ideas came forward to honour her, including changing the name of Airport Road to Capt. Jenn Casey Way. That was my favourite, but Mayor Ken Christian and the City settled on creating a small park just off the airport runway.

It was a good decision. The park is beautifully designed, with a wonderful rendition of a Tutor jet created by artist Sarah Holliday with small metallic maple leaves.

After speeches by some of Capt. Casey’s colleagues and friends, and the laying of a wreath by her father Jean-Pierre Thimot and her friend Morgan Muise, as the official ceremony wrapped up, a musical composition by local composer Samantha McElroy was played. A touching moment.

The official ceremony was followed by a public one to introduce the memorial to residents.

I don’t suppose this little Fulton Field Park will get a huge amount of use by the public. It’s out of the way and parking is limited. But a non-descript dusty corner has been turned into a serene spot perfect for a picnic lunch, watching aircraft coming and going at the airport, or simply sitting and contemplating.

Along with the adjacent landscaping on Tranquille Road — which is almost complete — it also beautifies the entrance area to the airport.

A job well done.

Mel Rothenburger is a former regular contributor to CFJC-TV and CBC radio, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Webster Foundation Commentator of the Year finalist. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor.  He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.