Bump.....from Army News
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Winnipeg, Manitoba — It was a nightmare scene that took the lives of three people. But two lives were saved that day, thanks to the actions of an RCMP constable, a few civilians and the quick response of several members of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (R Wpg Rif).
Sgt Joseph Penman, R Wpg Rif, receives the Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery from RCMP Commissioner William J.S. Elliott.
On December 10, 2010, these heroes were awarded the Commissioner’s Commendation for Bravery – the highest recognition the RCMP can give them.
“We don’t normally give this to members of the Canadian Forces and it’s a special honour to do it today,” said RCMP Commissioner William Elliott.
Trapped
Sergeant Joseph Penman, Warrant Officer Shaun Spence and Master Warrant Officer Hamish (Jim) Seggie of the R Wpg Rif were en route to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Shilo, Manitoba for routine training when they came upon a road accident. RCMP Constable Alfred Lavallee was trying to free the people trapped inside the burning vehicles.
WO Shaun Spence, R Wpg Rif, receives the Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery from RCMP Commissioner William J.S. Elliott.
“It was so bright,” said Sgt Penman. “I don’t really remember the heat or the smoke, but it was the brightest thing I’ve ever seen.”
The three members, without any concern for their own safety, began pulling at the engulfed vehicles with their bare hands. MWO Seggie pulled pieces of one vehicle’s dashboard apart with nothing but his hands to free a man trapped inside. Sgt Penman and WO Spence, both using a pry bar and their bare hands, tried desperately to pull the van’s burning door open.
Quick response
As a result of their quick actions, a young girl and a man are alive today.
“They showed outstanding bravery and courage, in smoke so thick and black you could barely see,” said Corps Sergeant-Major Gene Maeda, Master of Ceremonies for the awarding of the Commissioner’s Commendation.
All three members credit their training for their ability to jump into action.
MWO Hamish (Jim) Seggie, Joint Personnel Support Unit Prairie Region and R Wpg Rif member, receives the Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery from RCMP Commissioner William J.S. Elliott.
“We didn’t even have to think, you just act,” said MWO Seggie. “With these men from my unit, I knew I could trust them to be doing what they needed to do.”
Torn
The three soldiers remain torn about what happened that day. Although they acted quickly, the fire was too intense to save everyone and finally drove them back.
“We didn’t want to give up,” said WO Spence. “Eventually, Constable Lavallee pulled us back because of the danger.”
When it was all done, these three men—who had just done an incredibly brave and selfless thing—simply continued on to CFB Shilo for their training, as scheduled.
“We just focused on the weekend,” said Sgt Penman. “We didn’t really talk about it at all.”
Article by Lt Donna Riguidel, 17 Wing Public Affairs
Photos by Cpl Bill Gomm
Project Number: 10-0876
