CFB TRENTON -- The widow of one of four Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan last week almost collapsed from grief yesterday as her husband's flag-draped casket was carried from a military aircraft during a repatriation ceremony at this eastern Ontario military base.
As the casket of Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli was brought down the ramp by fellow soldiers, his wife Marcie Lane was so overcome that she had to pass her baby Olivia to a woman beside her.
After the casket was placed inside a hearse, Lane composed herself, walked up to the vehicle and offered a crisp military salute.
The coffin carrying Cpl. Tyler Crooks came down the ramp after Vernelli's, followed by the caskets of Trooper Jack Bouthillier and Trooper Corey Hayes.
The four were killed last Friday in two separate incidents.
Vernelli and Crooks, both members of November Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, died during a foot patrol when a booby trap exploded.
Later that day, Bouthillier and Hayes, who were members of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, died when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb.
All four soldiers were based at CFB Petawawa. The deaths brought to 116 the number of Canadian soldiers who have died in the Afghan mission since it began in 2002.
Weeping from Crooks' family could be heard across the runway as his casket appeared, and family and friends of the two troopers exchanged tearful hugs when their coffins came down the ramp.
Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean and Defence Minister Peter MacKay were among the dignitaries alongside the soldiers' families on the tarmac.
The repatriation ceremony was also attended by about 300 supporters who gathered outside the base.
Vernelli, 28, of Sault Ste. Marie, is survived by his wife and six-month-old daughter.
Crooks, of Port Colborne, was killed on his 24th birthday.
Bouthillier's family in Hearst, said last week they truly believed the 20-year-old would return home safely from his mission.
Hayes, 22, of Ripples, N.B., was remembered by family and friends as a "good kid."
By Pete Fisher
Seen from the passenger's seat, the veteran officer seemed all business behind the cruiser's wheel. He has taken part in the homecomings of all our fallen from Afghanistan -- except on one occasion.
But the thousands of Canadians lining the highway touched him yesterday, as they always do.
"Just to see the regular people lining the highway and bridges -- it never fails to put a smile on my face and a lump in my throat," the Whitby detachment officer said.
"It doesn't matter the weather at all. The people are always there, it doesn't matter whether it's cold, rainy or windy, they're always there."
The procession left CFB Trenton with the four fallen heroes and over 150 family members.
"It's a real honour to be out just to help," said Johnson as he led the way along Hwy. 401.
"For the families it's my way of saying thank you."
Asked if he thought Canada was a flag-waving country, he said, "we didn't seem to be, but this has certainly brought out the best in a lot of people."