PETERS: For the Snowbirds, simply returning to Kamloops was as tough as any aerial manoeuvre

The only thoughts are of tragedy and sorrow.

All you know about Kamloops is that’s the place the nation watched in horror as you lost your friend.

You probably don’t want to hear the city’s name spoken ever again.

Some Snowbirds team members may have been ready to come back to Kamloops this week – but you can be certain there were some who were not.

On Tuesday, the team performed a brief formation fly-by before landing at Kamloops Airport to refuel.

They had an opportunity to refuel at Kelowna International Airport, but chose to return to Kamloops instead.

It was a hard choice, but they did it for us.

The visit was not publicized, in part to avoid crowds of people gathering and potentially disregarding the need to keep distant.

It’s very likely, though, that the Snowbirds did not trumpet their arrival in advance because the team still felt very conflicted about it.

Kamloops residents poured out their support and love for the Snowbirds in the weeks and months that followed last May’s tragic accident.

After the team finally left the city last summer, it was clear we wanted them to come back, even in spite of the trauma that was still fresh in our minds.

The team’s new public affairs officer told us the feelings the team members experienced about returning were not so simple.

The Snowbirds specialize in doing difficult things to amaze and inspire us.

This week, nearly a year after their darkest day, simply returning to Kamloops amazed and inspired us again.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.

by James Peters

PETERS: For the Snowbirds, simply returning to Kamloops was as tough as any aerial manoeuvre

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