Capt. Kevin Hagen, originally from Nanaimo, died in a helicopter crash off the coast of Greece in late April. (GoFundMe)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

TO THE SKIES

Nanaimo-born pilot inspires flying scholarship for young cadets

Jun 29, 2020 | 11:00 AM

NANAIMO — The family and friends of a local armed forces member killed while on duty overseas are using his memory to inspire the next generation of pilots.

Originally from Nanaimo, Capt. Kevin Hagen died in a helicopter crash off the coast of Greece in late April, along with five other Canadian Armed Forces members.

The remains of the crew members were brought back to Canada in June, with Capt. Hagen returned to Vancouver Island during a service on June 27.

A fundraiser was launched in early May to provide a pilot scholarship to a member of Hagen’s cadet corps, 848 Royal Roads Squadron in Victoria.

“We wanted to ensure Kevin’s legacy would live on, especially in the air,” Marc Lussier, a RMC classmate of Capt. Hagen told NanaimoNewsNOW. “I offered my time and effort reaching into the RMC Foundation, the 848 Royal Roads Squadron to see what could be done.”

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As of June 29, over $11,000 had been raised. The goal is $15,000.

The fundraising effort is being organized by Hagen’s Royal Military College graduating class and the cadet corps.

“Depending on how much money is raised, the idea is that 848 could manage their scholarship program to ensure every year one of their deserving cadets can obtain a private pilots license,” Lessier said.

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