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Statement from the Family of Corporal Nathan Hornburg The Family of Nathan Hornburg issued a statement following his death. The full copy of the statement can be read here. Commanding Officer's Statement The Commanding Officer of the King's Own Calgary Regiment issued a statement to the media on Tuesday September 25th. His statement is posted here. Ramp Ceremony Kandahar Airfield Afghanistan
Cpl Hornburg was repatriated to Canada on Friday, September 28th. He was received by his immediate family, accompanied by the Commanding Officer and representatives of the King's Own. Also present was the Governor General of Canada, the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces, the Minister of National Defence, Peter MacKay, the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Rick Hillier, the Chief - Reserves and Cadets, Major-General H.M. Petras, and the Director Armoured, Colonel L.E. Thomas. The bearer party was made up of soldiers of the Royal Canadian Dragoons including one soldier who previously served in the King's Own. The RCDs are the only other Royal Canadian Armoured Corps unit to have suffered losses in Afghanistan. Cpl Hornburg's hearse and the vehicle procession including his family left Canadian Forces Base Trenton at 3:40 pm EST. Cpl Hornburg was returned to Calgary on October 2nd. In keeping with military protocol, the travel of his casket within Canada is not part of the ceremonial procedures established to honour a deceased member of the Canadian Forces. As a result, quiet, dignified ceremony was conducted in a relatively private and simple but respectful manner.
The funerals of fallen soldiers are conducted in accordance with the wishes of the family. Corporal Hornburg's family requested a public funeral, with significant military participation. The family chose a funeral ceremony that demonstrated to everyone in attendance what a great individual Nathan was. The King's Own Calgary Regiment conducted the military ceremony, with a procession to the venue, a bearer party, escort and guard. The escort included several members of the Lord Strathconas. The procession included the Regimental Band of the King's Own, with the assistance of members of the HMCS Tecumseh Band, and members of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment Band. Following the ceremony, as there was no public internment to follow, the Commanding Officer presented Nathan's mother with the national flag that adorned his coffin, with his beret, and Afghanistan Campaign Star. After Cpl Hornburg's casket was placed in the hearse, a 12 man guard fired 3 volleys, and Last Post was played. Corporal Hornburg's Funeral was held Thursday October 4th, at 1:00 pm in Hall B of the Roundup Centre, Stampede Park. Military protocol is that the funeral of deceased military members is a Provincial ceremony. The repatriation ceremony is the major national ceremony. The family of Corporal Hornburg held a private internment on Saturday, October 6th. Land Forces Western Area (LFWA), which includes the King's Own Calgary Regiment, has set up a page with links to recent news articles. LFWA Memoriam page Sergeant Pablo Fernandez of the King's Own is a reporter for the Calgary Sun. He wrote an article published on September 26th about Cpl Hornburg. The text of his article is available here.
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