'He deserves this:' London Officer Cadet who died by suicide to be honoured with Sacrifice Medal
It's been eight years since Angela Cameron-Jolly and Bill Jolly lost their son Brett Cameron to suicide at the Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston.
Cameron-Jolly told CTV News her son knew at a very young age that he wanted to be a part of the military. He was able to get two pilots licenses through the cadets program, so it came as no surprise that he wanted to attend RMC.
"His first year, he loved it. He got along with everybody, and he was successful in his leadership. He struggled a little in the academics, but he made good friends," said Cameron-Jolly, as she fought back tears.
But despite all of that, she said her son was lonely and homesick. Towards the end of his second year at RMC, one of his close friends, Harrison Kelertas, committed suicide.
"He had to write three exams that day. The day they found out and he, he failed all three of those exams. And when you failed three exams at RMC, that comes with some consequences," explained Cameron-Jolly. "And unfortunately, he thought he was going to be kicked out and that is not what happens. But that was the rumor and that was what they were told, so he believed it and he ended up taking his own life, 10 days after Harrison."
A Board of Inquiry (BOI) was launched into their deaths after a third Officer Cadet died by suicide at RMC in the same year (2016).
Cameron-Jolly said a lot of recommendations came out of the BOI, something she said she's very proud of achieving.
"We made sure that those recommendations weren't put in a binder and on a shelf, and they made a lot of changes at RMC when it comes to how they deal with mental health, how they deal with campus and how they deal with those soldiers, and making sure that they had supports," she said.
On Friday, a memorial service will be held at Wolseley Barracks in London, Ont. to honour Brett Cameron with a Sacrifice Medal for the impact his death has had on mental health and the military.
"I think that's one of the reasons why we fought so hard for Brett to get this honor, because his death was unnecessary, and he passed. And when he did, it shone a light on everything that needed to be addressed," said Cameron-Jolly. "And I think that's the problem is that there's a lot going on that wasn't being addressed in the military as far as mental health and as far as support. And I think Brett helped bring about a lot of change, and that's why he deserves this."
Angela will be given a Memorial Cross at the service on Friday, something she has waited almost a decade to receive.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
B.C. port employers launch lockout at terminals in labour dispute with workers
Employers at British Columbia ports say they are going ahead with locking out more than 700 foremen across the province after strike activities from union members began.
Months after VRBO booking, Taylor Swift fan told home 'not available' during Vancouver concert
A frustrated Taylor Swift fan is speaking out after being pushed from a short-term rental she booked for the upcoming Vancouver leg of the superstar’s Eras Tour.
Felonies, assassination attempts and a last-minute change on the ticket leads voters to Tuesday's U.S. election
A campaign that has careened through a felony trial, incumbent being pushed off the ticket and assassination attempts comes down to Election Day on Tuesday.
Measles cases in New Brunswick more than double in three days
A measles outbreak declared in New Brunswick’s Zone 3 last week, which includes Fredericton and the upper Saint John River Valley, has more than doubled since last week.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
Surprise swing state? Iowa poll has Harris suddenly leading
Based on victories in the past two elections and polls leading up to Tuesday’s election, Donald Trump had seemed almost certain to win Iowa, but a new poll has Kamala Harris with a sudden three-point lead.
Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports
Incendiary devices that ignited in Germany and the United Kingdom in July were part of a covert Russian operation that aimed to start fires aboard cargo and passenger flights heading to the U.S. and Canada, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Monday, citing Western security officials.