Watch above: The deaths of two Canadian soldiers have prompted military officials to urge their members to limit how often they step out in public in their uniforms. Shallima Maharaj spoke with an Alberta soldier and his family about the decision.
EDMONTON – At just 32 years old, Master Cpl. Kevin Lloy has proudly served his country in the Canadian Armed Forces for the past 13 years.
Shock, anger and sadness are just a few of the words he uses to describe his progression of feelings following two targeted attacks on Canadian soldiers this week.
“I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve been walking through a public area in uniform with either my family or another soldier and for that to happen in an instant – disbelief and then sadness,” Lloy said Saturday.
The first attack happened on Monday when 53-year-old Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent died after being run over by a car in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. RCMP have said the attack was “clearly linked to terrorist ideology.”
Just two days later, 24-year-old Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was shot and killed while guarding the National War Memorial in Ottawa.
“It’s sad. It’s a different world now that this has happened,” said Lloy.
READ MORE: Nathan Cirillo, soldier and dog rescuer
Following the attacks, all Canadian bases were ordered to increase protection measures. And to “minimize unnecessary exposure in public,” soldiers have been ordered to stop wearing their uniforms in public unless they are heading to and from work.
“The safety and security of our members, our families and our civilian partners is our priority,” said Gen. Tom Lawson, Canada’s chief of defence staff.
Lloy takes the directive of his chain of command to heart, but says his uniform is a symbol of Canadian pride and he will not be afraid when he puts it on.
“I won’t go out as much, but as far as changing and hiding, that’s not who I am. That’s not how I was trained,” he said. “It’s important to not be scared. It’s important to be that symbol that our uniform represents.”
READ MORE: ‘It’s strange’: business owner on feeling around CFB Edmonton following attacks on Canadian soldiers
Lloy’s father, Bruce Lloy, shares his son’s pride. The retired RCMP officer spent 25 years with the force and describes his uniform as an identifier.
“A uniform in general is very important, whether they be RCMP or police or fire or a nurse’s uniform. It’s just a visual symbol of what these people are,” he said.
For the Lloys, the uniform is much more than a piece of clothing, and the family is incredibly proud of the overwhelming support Canadian soldiers and their families – particularly those of Vincent and Cirillo – have received in the past few days, even through such tragic circumstances.
“People that aren’t even in the military or don’t know anyone from the military rushed to the highway to pay respect, so I don’t think this is going to change Canadians,” said Kevin Lloy.
“We’re Canadians, we’re going to get on with our days and we’re going to continue to be the kind-hearted people that we are and just move on with our lives. We’ll never forget, but we’re not going to let this dictate who we are as Canadians.”
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