It appeared the entire St. John River Valley was in mourning. Yellow ribbons and Canadian flags started along the Trans-Canada Highway in Florenceville, a 40-minute drive from Perth-Andover. The closer to the northwestern community, the bigger the ribbons, the bigger the flags.
The small town seemed deserted outside the afternoon ceremony at the Calvary Tabernacle Church.
More than a thousand people turned out for the double service: one civilian, one military. Two other village churches filled their pews to capacity, showing the service on closed-circuit television. Mourners could be seen arriving on foot and by car, truck and school bus.
The population of Perth-Andover is around 2,000 people. CFB Gagetown communications officer Lieut. Brian Owens said more than 3,000 visitors showed up at the local funeral home Tuesday to pay their respects.