LACOMBE — About 1,300 people attended the memorial service for Master Cpl. Byron Greff of Lacombe on Monday afternoon.
It was standing room only at the church at Canadian University College in Lacombe. About 100 people watched the service by video at nearby College Heights Christian School, set up to accommodate people when the church reached capacity.
Greff was laid to rest earlier in the day at a private family interment at Fairview Cemetery in Lacombe.
Greff, an Edmonton-based solider, died on Oct. 29 in Kabul, Afghanistan, when a car packed with explosives rammed into a heavily armoured NATO bus known as a Rhino.
Five NATO soldiers, eight civilian contractors and four Afghans were killed in the blast, and many others were wounded.
The public memorial service was not open to the media.
Sgt. Tom Harvey, who worked with Greff, said it was unfortunate that he never had the opportunity to serve with Greff in Afghanistan.
“I’m glad I got to attend,” said Harvey outside the church after the service where three RCMP vehicles with flashing lights led away five buses of Canadian Forces personnel.
Several RCMP, Lacombe Police and Alberta Sheriffs also attended in uniform.
“He was a good friend of mine. He was a really good guy,” said Harvey.
He said it was also great to see so much support from Lacombe and the Seventh-day Adventists community.
Greff, 28, is survived by his wife Lindsay and their son, Kellar, and new-born daughter, Brielle.
A photo of Greff, his wife and tiny Brielle were among the photos and several bouquets of flowers inside the church.
Christina Thorarinson, who works at the college, said she didn’t know Greff or his family but wanted to attend the memorial to support them.
“I remember when I heard that the soldier that was killed was from Lacombe. Wow. What a loss that was for our community, for the families,” said Thorarinson, who watched the service at the school.
“It’s a sad day.”
She said during the service people who spoke remembered the good times they shared with Greff. A friend who served with him said Greff always had his back.
Greff, a member of Third Battalion of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, was the first Canadian to die in Afghanistan since the combat mission ended in July.
Greff was on a routine trip between training and headquarters bases when the attack occurred.
Three children held up Canadian flags as people filed out of the church and drove away.
Ronda Ziakris, who brought her daughter, said it was an opportunity for children to better understand the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers and the role of the military.
“Especially during the week of Remembrance Day. This makes it more real, hopefully,” Ziakris said.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com