PRINCE GEORGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/24/13 -- The family of a decorated Canadian Forces veteran who was fatally shot last year during an encounter with an RCMP Emergency Response Team will be awarded a Memorial Cross by the Canadian government in a presentation at Connaught Youth Center in Prince George, this Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.
Warrant Officer Ryan S. Seguin is travelling from Gagetown, New Brunswick to Prince George to present two medals to the Matters family. Seguin and Greg Matters became best friends in the Forces. Matters was also best man at Seguin's wedding, godfather of Seguin's two children and both served together in Bosnia when Matters became injured. The Matters family has never met Seguin and it is sure to be an emotional and memorable event.
Last September, Greg Matters was killed on his property outside of Prince George by members of an RCMP Emergency Response Team. Matters did not have a firearm and suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Tracey Matters, sister of the deceased veteran, says that she and her mother will be honored to receive the medals.
Also known as the Silver Cross, the Memorial Cross is usually awarded to the mother and/or wife of a Canadian Forces member who loses their life in active service, including peacekeeping duties.
"Our family has been devastated by the loss of my brother Greg who was a proud Canadian and had spent 15 years serving our country in the Canadian Forces," says Tracey Matters. "My brother was a loving member of our family who was known for his intelligence, generosity, kindness and warmth. He was deployed to Bosnia, came home injured and suffered significantly with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder."
Greg Matters was undergoing treatment for PTSD with well known expert in this field - Dr. Greg Passey at the Operational Stress Injury Clinic in Vancouver at the time of his death.
Dr. Passey delivered the eulogy at Greg's funeral last year stating that Greg's story had touched his life and that Greg had a clear will to recover with hopes for the future and for a bigger and better life. "He was a man of principles, justice, strength of character and conviction," Dr. Passey said.
"Greg volunteered for the Canadian Forces because he wanted to serve his country and help those who were disadvantaged and unable to defend themselves," Dr. Passey recalled.
A Coroner's Inquest into the death of Greg Matters will be held in Prince George during the week of October 7 to 12, 2013.
Those wishing to help the family pay for legal representation at the inquest may wish to make a PayPal donation at https://www.facebook.com/Justiceforgreg/app_190322544333196. All donations are gratefully accepted.
Contacts:
Tracey Matters
778-349-0901
traceymatters@bigpond.com
