Veteran Who Lost Daughter in Military Training Exercise Named Silver Cross Mother
A veteran whose daughter died during a military training exercise in 2002 has been named the 2026 National Silver Cross Mother. The Royal Canadian Legion says Virginia Hicks will place a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Nov. 11, an annual tradition on behalf of Canadian mothers who have lost a child serving in the Canadian military. Hicks’ daughter Mariebeth Short died on Sept. 23, 2002 during a training exercise in Petawawa, Ont., when the light armoured vehicle she was training in rolled over. The Royal Canadian Legion says Hicks’ family has a long history of military service and she served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 29 years, working in supply and logistics.
TL;DR
- Virginia Hicks named 2026 National Silver Cross Mother.
- Hicks is a veteran who served 29 years in the Canadian Armed Forces.
- Her daughter, Mariebeth Short, died in a military training accident in 2002.
- The accident occurred when a light armoured vehicle rolled over during training in Petawawa, Ontario.
- Hicks will place a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on November 11th.
- This tradition honors Canadian mothers who have lost a child serving in the military.