'We shall not forget': MP honours Sudbury soldier's life

Thunder Bay-Rainy River NDP MP John Rafferty delivered a statement in the House of Commons Jan. 28 following the tragic death of 34-year-old Sgt. Jesse Tait of Sudbury.

Tait's body was recovered from the Kaministiquia River near Thunder Bay Jan. 22.

“Today we mourn the loss of Sgt. Jesse Tait of Sudbury,” Rafferty's statement reads.

“He was a father, husband, son and soldier serving at CFB Shilo in Manitoba. All of Northern Ontario and all Canadians stand with the family at this time of loss. He joined the Canadian Forces in January 2002 and was posted to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.

“He served in Bosnia in 2003 and in Afghanistan in 2008 as a sniper. His family describes him as an 'ambitious, hard-working, natural leader with a penchant for adventure, who loved nothing more than spending time with his two young boys.'

“This tragic death serves as another reminder of the commitment and services of our Canadian Forces. It also reminds us of the duty we have as Members in the House of Commons to those who serve: To only place them in harm’s way after careful consideration, and to be there for them when they return.

“We shall not forget Sgt. Jesse Tait.”

Tait's funeral is set for Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Epiphany.