Port Hardy, British Columbia
Major Hellberg is a retired Canadian Forces Veteran. Together with the following three other dedicated individuals, Mr. Robert Hemphill, Chief Warrant Officer Alan King, and Captain Lou Lepine - all of whom received the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation in September, 2010. Major Hellberg pays tribute to servicemen who have lost their lives on operations on North Vancouver Island by erecting and dedicating stainless steel cairns etched with the names of lost airmen on the various crash sites. Major Hellberg was the "organizer" of the group and through his diplomacy, was able to encourage local businesses to provide free labour and materials for the cairns, which paved the way for government and military offices to also be involved. With imposing logistics, Major Hellberg was able to organize successful memorial parades in remote locations. Major Hellberg was also successful in having Lt. Governors of British Columbia, senior officers of the RCAF, senior officers of the United States Navy and local First Nations Bands participate at the various ceremonies. Kin have come from as far away as the UK for these dedication ceremonies. There have been six dedication ceremonies which took place in 2010 for a plane that crashed on North Vancouver Island in 1945.