Community members and dignitaries join with family members of the lost and injured during the Humboldt Broncos First Year Memorial service at Elgar Petersen Arena in Humboldt, SK on Saturday, April 6, 2019. (Saskatoon StarPhoenix/Liam Richards)

By Tyler Marr

ONE YEAR ON

‘Thank you for your love’: Memorial held one year after Humboldt Broncos collision

Apr 6, 2019 | 7:45 PM

We will stand with you, we will stand behind you, we will stand wherever you need us to stand.

That was the message to those affected by the tragedy that occurred one year ago today from Jamie Brockman, the president of the Humboldt Broncos.

“We do need to move forward but please know we will never forget the 2017-18 Humboldt Broncos,” he said. “Future teams will see the rich history of the Humboldt Broncos but will see how great the fabric of the particular team really was.”

President of the Humboldt Broncos Jamie Brockman was one of the first to speak at the memorial to mark one year since the Humboldt Broncos collision. (Saskatoon StarPhoenix/Liam Richards)

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It was about 4:50 p.m. on April 6, 2018.

The road and sky were clear and the sun was shining down on northeastern Saskatchewan.

The Broncos’ team bus was travelling along Highway 35 for a playoff game in Nipawin. As it neared the intersection of Highway 355, a semi, carrying a load of peat moss, blew a stop sign.

The two vehicles collided. Sixteen people were killed and 13 others injured as a result.

Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, a novice driver, was sentenced last month to eight years in prison. He pleaded guilty to 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

The family and friends of all 29 involved in the collision, paramedics who helped on that night, and those wanting to show support gathered at the home of the Broncos’, the Elgar Petersen Arena on Saturday, for the Humboldt Broncos First Year Memorial. Those who assembled from near and far sported Broncos jersey’s.

Members of the community sport blonde hair and Broncos jerseys during the Humboldt Broncos First Year Memorial service. (Saskatoon StarPhoenix/Liam Richards)

“Today marks a milestone for everyone here. Not a joyful milestone but one of perseverance, faith and courage,” Carol Brons, the mother of Dayna Brons , the team’s trainer, told the crowd. “We are not preachers but we are moms. And like many moms before us, we have lost a child. We aren’t the first .. and sadly, we won’t be the last.”

She said one year ago many lives changed, but the nation and world came together in grief. The tragedy, she said, brought people together in a significant way. As a result, important conversations are happening in education, health, mental health and transportation.

Carol thanked those in authority for creating change and called on them to continue to call for positive change.

“Good must continue to come from this,” she said. “We have all witnessed a multitude of generous and noble hearts.”

Brons went on to ask people involved in the incident over the last year to stand. First responders, health care workers, counsellors, those who fed the families, prayed with them, supported them and anyone with hope.

The entire arena stood.

“We wish we could hug every one of you,” she added. “Thank you for your love.”

Members of the Cross family observe a moment of silence. (Saskatoon StarPhoenix/Liam Richards)

During the memorial, one candle was lit for those who were lost and injured in the collision. Audience members produced cellphones as flashlights in a show of solidarity. A choir assembled of students from Humboldt and the Prince Albert Children’s Choir sang a moving rendition of ‘When you believe,’ which garnered a standing ovation.

Family members and friends light candles. (Saskatoon StarPhoenix/Liam Richards)

The Combined Children and Youth Choir from various schools sings “When You Believe” during the Humboldt Broncos First Year Memorial service at Elgar Petersen Arena. (Saskatoon StarPhoenix/Liam Richards)

“If you always remember me, I will never be gone,” Mariko Boulet, Logan’s sister, read from a poem titled Remember Me.

Logan died on April 7, one day after the collision. He had signed his organ donation card just weeks before and inspired thousands of Canadians from coast-to-coast to do the same. His organs went on to save six lives.

Members of the Boulet family look on during the Humboldt Broncos First Year Memorial service at Elgar Petersen Arena in Humboldt, SK on Saturday, April 6, 2019. (Saskatoon StarPhoenix/Liam Richards)

Celeste Leray-Leicht, Jacob’s mother, said the entire ordeal has been an unusual experience for everyone involved and hopes everyone can move on.

“I just don’t want people to be stuck. We all deserve to have a good life…. I think it is important we recognize that and in order to truly honour all 29, I think we need to live our lives to the best of our ability and now we need to be able to do it privately,” she told media after the event.

Celeste Leray-Leicht and Carol Brons offer thanks on behalf of the families during the Humboldt Broncos First Year Memorial service. (Saskatoon StarPhoenix/Liam Richards)

In a prayer, Shirley Nordstrom, Logan Hunter’s grandmother summed up the feeling of everyone in the room.

“Let nothing good from their lives be lost.”

Survivor Kaleb Dahlgren is abiding by this. In a statement read to the memorial by his billet sisters, he said he no longer takes a second of his life for granted and he lives it the fullest in honour of those killed.

“It is the worst knowing there is no way to bring you back or reverse the accident … You will forever be family to me,” it read. “You guys should be proud of the impact you had on our world: including new bus laws, semi laws, health, etc. You have reminded us how valuable life is.”

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— with files from Angie Rolheiser and Jeff D’Andrea

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr