Andres Salek was looking forward to graduating from the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont., And moving to a more practical role in the Canadian Army before he died in a tragic accident, recalls his friend Denis Zvinka.
“He always told me how excited he was about his next steps,” Zvinka said.
Salek was ready to graduate with a degree in military and strategic studies, but Salek died in early April 29.
A vehicle carrying him and other fourth-year cadets Jack Hogarth, Andrei Honchiu and Broden Murphy entered the water shortly after 2 a.m. on Point Frederick, a peninsula between Kingston Harbor and Navi Bay on the St. Lawrence River.
The National Investigation Service of the Canadian Forces, the independent part of the Canadian Military Police, is investigating.
Zvinka, who met Salek during their first year of high school in the western Toronto community of Etobico, said he immediately texted his friend, then called him when he saw the news last week.
“None of the text messages passed. I had this horrible feeling in my stomach. “Over time, I got worse and worse until I realized he was one of the victims,” he said.
The friend admired his endurance
Zvinka and Salek got in touch over sushi, beer and basketball, Zvinka said.
They also made the transition to Kingston together: Zvinka went to study at Queen’s University, Salek at the Canadian Armed Forces Military College, which has been awarding degrees since 1959.
Salek was preparing to become an officer, said college commander Commodore Jose Kurz.
According to the Canadian Armed Forces website, armored officers provide intelligence support and direct fire in battle from armored combat vehicles such as tanks.
Zvinka called Salek a “selfless” friend who puts the needs of others before him.
“Now that he’s gone, it makes you remember those moments,” Zvinka said.
WATCH A friend remembers a cadet who died at the Royal Military College:
A friend remembers a cadet who died in an accident at the Royal Military College
Denis Zvinka says that Andres Salek was sociable and selfless and his loss was a terrible shock. Four cadets from the Royal Military College died after their car hit the water on campus last week, including Salek. 1:59
Zvinka also admired Salek’s endurance after the couple stayed out late in Kingston.
“He used to tell me, ‘By the way, I have to get up in three hours to drill.’ by the lake. And I was still on the watch until I woke up. “
“He was just a nice man,” friend Denis Zvinka told Andres Salek, pictured here. (Submitted by Denis Zvinka)
Zvinka said that Salek had completed his exams for the fourth year and was hanging out at the base. They planned to gather in Toronto this summer.
“He was just a good man. When he’s gone, I feel that the average kindness in a person drops dramatically.
The college said the details of the memorial service would be revealed at the discretion of the victims’ families.
On Monday, the House of Commons observed a minute of silence in memory of Salek and the other lost cadets.
Bruce-Gray-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff, a retired colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces, was among those who also made remarks.
– @ AlexRuff17
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