Joe Warmington, QMI Agency
, Last Updated: 1:07 AM ET
LONGUEIUL, Que. -- The "Forgotten Soldier" was remembered here Saturday.
But not by everyone.
If going by how many people came out to witness his funeral procession, it appeared even on his home turf, some still forgot 53-year-old Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent.
It didn't mean the airman didn't get a terrific Canadian send off.
He did. All the people supposed to be there did a wonderful job of making sure.
But regular every day people, as we saw in Ottawa and later in Hamilton, mourning over the fatal shooting of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, simply did not come out to pay their respects on Saturday in massive numbers.
It was surprising since both of these terror attacks on Canadian soldiers were at the hands of Quebec-based killers. Jammed streets would have sent a unity message.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN GALLERY: Fallen soldier Patrice Vincent laid to rest
"There is definitely something missing," said Ron Cornelow, who drove from Laval with his partner, Louise Demers to be among the dozens outside the packed church.
I also came here to pay my respects for this soldier - believed to be Canada's first fallen in the current war on ISIS, and one of a very few people in uniform to be killed on domestic soil - who was gutlessly run down by a radicalized man.
I covered this murderous attack in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu on Oct. 20 and the days that followed, and was surprised by the lack of a vigil.
Remember, the flags did not go down to half staff nationally until the second soldier was slain.
I wanted to write something here about how this time the people rallied for their forgotten son, but the sidewalks along the procession route were empty.
Closer to the church, about 100 people stood behind barriers.
It was not like this inside the church or even inside the procession. There were hundreds who participated and did an incredible job of giving Vincent's family a full regimental funeral, which was private and by invitation only.
Inside St-Antoine-de-Padoue Church, Prime Minister Stephen Harper expressed how savage Vincent's murder was.
"Someone dear to you has been taken away by the revolting actions of a person motivated by a barbaric ideology, an ideology contrary to the values of justice, freedom and compassion that we share as Canadians," Harper said.
Outside, Veterans' Affairs Minister Julian Fantino called it a "beautiful tribute."
"I think it was important that he received the same service that Cpl. Cirillo received," Fantino said. "They both served their country with such honour and both died in defence of it."
Like the politicians, the military really provided a proper tribute. The pipe and drums were out, the Last Post was played and Vincent's beloved 438 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, based in St. Hubert, flew overhead in missing-man formation.
It was, after all, not just any person who died here.
So it turns out the Forgotten Soldier was remembered here Saturday, but not by enough.
Tweets from the Sun's Joe Warmington, who was in Longueuil. Click here for a mobile-friendly link.
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