4th Annual Memorial Car Show & Shine pays tribute to fallen soldier MCpl Byron Greff

By Haylee Winger

The 4th Annual Memorial Car Show & Shine once again brought the community together in remembrance and respect, continuing its heartfelt tradition of honouring a fallen soldier each year. This year, the event paid tribute to Master Corporal Byron Greff, a dedicated member of the Canadian Armed Forces who tragically lost his life on October 29, 2011, during his second deployment in Afghanistan.

MCpl Greff’s second deployment came shortly after Canada officially ended its combat mission in the region in July 2011. He was the first Canadian soldier to die following the conclusion of that mission. His legacy is one of courage, service, and sacrifice.

Born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, and raised in Lacombe, Alberta, Byron Greff was remembered as a proud soldier, a devoted husband, and a loving father. He met his wife, Lindsay, shortly after enlisting in the Canadian Armed Forces. In 2009, the couple moved to Morinville, Alberta, where they began building a life together.

In recognition of her son’s sacrifice, Candy Greff was named the Royal Canadian Legion’s 2022 National Silver Cross Mother. On Remembrance Day that year, she laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, representing all Canadian mothers who have lost a child in military service.

MCpl Greff’s memory continues to be honoured across Alberta and beyond. In his hometown of Lacombe, the local high school placed a memorial bench in his name, and the Lacombe Legion Branch 79 renamed their upper hall the “Byron Greff Memorial Hall.” Additionally, the province of Saskatchewan named a serene body of water in the northeastern part of the province “Greff Lake” in his honour.

Master Corporal Byron Greff is laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Lacombe, Alberta.

The Memorial Car Show & Shine stands as more than just a gathering of vehicles and enthusiasts — it is a powerful reminder of the bravery and sacrifices made by Canada’s service members. Through events like these, communities ensure that heroes like MCpl Byron Greff are never forgotten.