Veteran who lost daughter in military training exercise named Silver Cross Mother

Virginia Hicks, a Canadian veteran whose daughter Mariebeth Short tragically died in a 2002 military training exercise, has been honored with the title of 2026 National Silver Cross Mother. The Royal Canadian Legion announced this designation, noting that Hicks will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Remembrance Day, an annual tribute to mothers who have lost a child while serving in Canada's military.

Mariebeth Short's fatal accident occurred on September 23, 2002, when the light armoured vehicle she was training in overturned during a practice session in Petawawa, Ontario. Hicks brings a distinguished background to this role; she was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces for 29 years, primarily working in supply and logistics.

This particular Remembrance Day ceremony arrives in the wake of a recent tragedy, just weeks after four Canadian soldiers lost their lives and dozens were injured during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright in Alberta. The incident involved a grass fire sparked by strong, sudden winds, which threatened 84 members of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry engaged in two exercises at the military base, approximately 200 kilometers southeast of Edmonton.

Hicks expresses a connection to all mothers who have experienced the loss of a child in military service, emphasizing shared sorrow, bravery, and love for their children. In a statement, she reflects these sentiments on behalf of every mother who has endured such a profound loss.

The Canadian Press, in reporting this story, has provided the detailed account of Virginia Hicks' significance and the recent military incident that preceded her appointment as the 2026 National Silver Cross Mother. This report was first published on November 1, 2026.