A Hamilton soldier who died in Latvia last week will be honoured at a repatriation ceremony on Tuesday, Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND) says.
Sebastian Halmagean, 24, died near the Latvian capital of Riga on Thursday. The DND says the cause of death is still under investigation. The repatriation ceremony will take place at 8 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Quinte West, Ont. The aircraft carrying his body is expected to arrive at about 2:30 p.m. ET, with the ceremony beginning shortly after. A motorcade will then travel to Toronto along the Highway of Heroes.
Halmagean was originally from Hamilton and was based at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown in New Brunswick. This was his first deployment.
Conservative MP Ned Kuruc paid tribute to Halmagean in the House of Commons on Monday, calling him a proud and dedicated soldier who “loved his country and our military.”
Halmagean’s father, Alin, said his son was living out a childhood dream while serving with the Canadian Armed Forces. He said Sebastian was proud to serve and deeply valued his fellow soldiers.
The ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton in Quinte West, Ont.
