Highway of Heroes procession honours Hamilton, Ontario soldier killed in Latvia

Hamilton’s Sebastian Halmagean made his final journey Tuesday as armed forces members, police and those from the community honoured the life of a soldier killed while serving his country in Latvia.

The Canadian Armed Forces said Gunner Sebastian Halmagean, who was part of the Canadian-led NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia, died Thursday near Riga, Latvia, while on his first overseas deployment.

Halmagean was originally from Hamilton and had served with the military for almost three years.

“Today, members of Durham Regional Police Service stood in salute to honour Canadian Armed Forces member Gunner Sebastian Halmagean,” Durham Regional Police said after officers marked his passing along the Highway of Heroes from the armed forces base in Trenton to Toronto. “We thank Gunner Halmagean for his service and sacrifice, and extend our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and fellow service members. Lest we forget.”

Gunner Sebastian Halmagean

Halmagean was posted to the 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support), Royal Canadian Artillery, part of 6 Canadian Combat Support Brigade, which is based at the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown in New Brunswick.

“The passing of Gunner Halmagean is a loss deeply felt for the Canadian Armed Forces. On behalf of all our members, I offer my heartfelt sympathies to his loved ones and those who served alongside him,” Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan said in the military’s news release.

Latvia is home to a multinational deployment of troops meant to deter Russian aggression in Europe’s eastern flank. It is one of several NATO battle brigades deployed in eastern Europe.

Canada is the lead nation in the Latvia deployment, with roughly 2,000 troops deployed.

With files from Canadian Press