Oh my god.....I dont even know what to say.....i may not have known either of them, but I can see from what the people that knew them had to say about them that they were both great people, and they will be really missed.
oh wow.....here I go, reading all the amazing things you have had to say about these two people, i've already started to cry, even though i never met them. losing fellow cadets is always hard.
lots of sympathy to their friends and family. I've never known anybody who died, so I cant even imagine what you must be going through.Just know that they will always be there to watch over their loved ones.

This is really hard...I knew both Matthew and Ashley...and I never once thought I would have to write about something like this. When I first found out this tragic news on Friday night I was totally devistated. Nothing hurt more then knowing that I would never get to see the smiles of both these amazing people.
I got to know Ashley not through cadets, but through drama, just one of the many other activities that she was involved in. Ashley was the kind of person that even if she didn't know you, she'd always take the time to stop and talk or just say hi. She always had a smile on her face and that laugh of hers was literally contagious. She was always able to brighten anyones day! Ashley will be forever missed and never forgotten!
Matt on the other hand, I knew because our dads are friends. Matt was also involved in many activities like drama and cadets, and it was things like this that let me get to know Matt as the greatest/sweetest/kindest/funny/most caring individual that I have ever had the privilege of knowing. He too, always had a smile on his face, that big goofy grin, man, i'll never forget that grin. Matt was always there with a helping hand that he so often extended to others. Matt and I were both on staff together at HMCS Acadia, during the summer of 2004.
I will never forget that summer, especially one day when I was teaching a Peri class to Matt's division. One girl in his division got injured and had to be taken to the MIR. Matt was so upset...once the other DPO for his division came to pick them up Matt was off to see if the girl was ok. He was such a caring person. Matt and I went to the formal together in 2004. I wont ever forget that Matt was to shy to ask me, so he had to get one of his friends to do it for him. He was a truly great person and no one who knew him will ever forget him.
To the students at John Burk High, cadets at #290 Sir Humphry Gilbert, the community of Fortune, and to the Tulk and Symes Families.... these two were the best and the brightest, and they are missed by more people then they themselves could have ever imagined!
Also, to all of those here who have shown concern for the friends and family of Ashley and Matthew, thank you, your words here mean a lot!...You can also express your feelings on the John Burk Website, and on a webpage created by one of their friends.

http://www.jbhs.k12.nf.ca/memorial_2005.htm

http://www.freewebs.com/takinaway/

Matt
 

I only met Matt this past summer on staff. I'll never forget the smiles, or the fact that he was the biggest mouch that Acadia staff had ever seen, lol. Everytime I saw Matt I couldn't help but smile or laugh, no matter how rough the day had been.
Ashley Tulk, I've never met her. But from what I have been told she was just as wonderful and as bright as Matt.
It's tragic to hear of yet another death in world of sea cadets and cadets alike. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of these two wonderful people. I also now think of the friends that I have made over my 6 years in cadets and pray everyday that nothing of this sort with happen to them.
I love you all and you truly are the best friends a girl could ever ask for.
May the heavens embrace their new found angels,
RIP Matt and Ashley
P.S. Remember Smile, it takes the hurt away

Also with Matthew passed away another great cadet Ashley Tulk. I was good friends with both of them and i can't believe that they are gone. At the funeral service there was somtethin like 100-150 cadets from the burin peninsula i kno cause i was there. I was there and it was the hardest thing i ever had to do. We gave them a real military service. I just wanted to sat thank all the people that showed up. It was very much appreciated. Thank you. RIP: Matthew Symes and Ashley Tulk.

My deepest sincerest condolences to Ashley and Matthews families and friends

BT

I never knew them. But I've been reading a lot about it, and I read the guestbook on the schools site, and viewed the pictures, read posts here, visited a couple other sites. It's really sad that something like this has to happen. These were two great people, and it's sad that they had to fall victim to this. It's such a tragedy.

I read many many times the words "The good die young" in the guestbooks and in various parts of each site. And it is with great sadness that this is true. This two people will be missed, but not forgotten.

There is some comfort in knowing that they died together, as friends, rather than alone. They will be missed.

This event has opened my eyes to life. You never know what tomorrow brings, and I am disappointed that I've lived my life the way I have. That I've taken my friends for granted, that I didn't go as far as I could reach, that I've fallen into a gap in society. I've made a goal to be the best I can be, and to reach as far as I can before it is my time, whenever that will be.

so hard to let go
 

its like the pain never goes away. U just sit there and theres always things reminding u of them. I hate it when ppl take the r.i.p out of their names. cuz i dunt want to let them go. Its funny how things like this happen and its so unexpected than it jus never seems to leave your heart. Matthew and Ashley will never b forgotten.
I love you Matthew and Ashley
your in my heart forever!
SAIL HARD

One Month Today.....
 

Wow....it was hard to imagine that this cound happen to two wonderful people, but its just as hard to come to terms with the fact that it has happened one month ago today. Over the past month the lives of everyone who knew Matthew or Ashley have been spinning out of control. Sometimes we hear people say "I cant believe it has only been a month", and this is because Matt and Ashley played such an important part in everyones life. Their absence has left everyone with an empty void that will never be filled. As time goes by we will all come to terms with this ordeal, and our wounds will heal, but the memories of Matthew Symes and Ashley Tulk will remain with us forever. Missing you guys still! Love you both lots.

I did not know this person, but people are united. May he rest in peace.
My apoligies to family and friends.
May God Be With Him.

I never knew him but i've heard he was a really nice guy. my deepest Condolences to the family and friends. Matt, Ashley, and Jorden Larsen will continue to live through us until we see them again.

omg thats like 3 in 3 days this is like so sad my griefs with his family

Um...two cadets died over a month ago...One this past week. It is very sad though. :(

J

I am still in a state of shock and disbelief that three great people had to leave us so early in their life. But I know that all three of them are watching over the all of us. They will always be remembered... RIP Matt, Ashley and Jordan... :(

Another Friendly Sailor Lost
 

What sad news again...First the other DPO (the late Matt Symes) of Skeena division, now one of our cadets. Jordan Larsen always walked around with a smile from ear to ear. He never complained and he always lent a hand to help someone. I really enjoyed teaching him this past summer. It's so sad to see things happen to those who don't deserve it.

I am so sorry that this had to happen to such a great person.. :(

CPO1 (Retired) Tina Shears

I hope matt and jordan are laughing together up there. Hope it's great sailin too. RIP both of them

R.C.S.C.C. 290 Remembers....
 

Each day I revisit the memorial sites for Matthew and Ashley, and sometimes I am shocked to see that people are still adding to these sites,now that it is almost five months later,....but then I remember how wonderful these two were and the impact that they made on my life alone.
On May 28th, RCSCC 290 Sir Humphrey Gilbert, in Fortune, held their 22nd Annual Cermonial Review. I have to say that I am very honored to have been invited to this ACR, and want to take this moment to congratulate all the cadets and officers on a job well done!
This ACR was somewhat different from what these cadets and officers were used to. While it was a celebration and display of the hardwork, effort, and dedication of the cadets of 290, time was also taken to pay remembrance and respect to CPO1 Matthew Symes and PO1 Ashley Tulk, who were tragically killed this past January.
The Reviewing Party consisted of Lieutenant Commander Marie Bourinot, CD (REVIEWING OFFICER), Lieutenant(N) Melvin Rose (COMMANDING OFFICER), Lieutenant(N) Marilyn Linehan (AREA CADET OFFICER), Lieutenant(N) Eddie Soper (HMCS ACADIA SAIL OPERATIONS OFFICER), and Mrs. Cindy Edwards (NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NAVY LEAGUE OF CANADA).
Following the inspection and march pass, the cadets presented three mobile displays, junior drill, senior drill and a ceremonial display. All of which were top notch.
After the presentation of awards, pictures Matthew and Ashley were brought out followed buy their white-tops and two candles. This was set up next to a screen where a slide- show presentation in memory of Matthew and Ashley, was shown. This presentation didn’t leave a dry eye in the entire gym.
Upon conclusion of the slide-show, Lieutenant (N) Bren Hynes and Lieutenant(N) Eddie Soper officially renamed the Burin Sail Center to “The CPO1 Matthew Symes Memorial Sail Center”. Lieutenant(N) Melvin Rose also introduced the “Miss Ashley Award” which will be awarded annually withing the corp.
Following these presentations students from John Burke Masquerade performed a skit to lighten the mood before the annual Cadet - Parent banquet.
Once again, I would like to extend a Bravo Zulu to the cadets of 290, I know you made both Matthew and Ashley very proud!

I give my condolences and deepest sympathy to the family's of Matt, Ashley, and Jordan.

I did meet Matt at camp last summer he was a DPO for Skeena and he was a great guy. Jordan he was a good guy too always made people laugh and smile and Ashley although I never ever did meet her from what I see she was a great person also. :(


Sailors never die they just sail bigger seas.

wow my condolences. He must have great friends to. I bet hes reading CW on his heaven computer and like "wow i have the best friends and best strangers in the world" you guy are so awsome to do this for him. i feel bad that there are so many people who care about him and this happend.

It seems like yesturday when we lost Matthew, and news of a sail centre being named after him, gives us a strong believing his with us each day.
I miss him, and Im glad so many ppl celebrate him each day, Thank you all for your kind words, it means alot to his friends, you keep us strong.
-cdort

Happy Birthday Matthew......
 

Over the last few months I have come to realize that we can not take one minute of our lives for granted! We never know when something is going to happen that will change our lives forever. Today being July 8th, I thought about what I was doing this time last year. A group of us that were on staff at Acadia were at the Pizza Place in the Cannex celebrating Matthew's 17th birthday...and now...only one year later...so much has changed! Our group is all split up...some are gone back to Acadia, and a few of us have aged out and are spending the summer working at home. But the one biggest change is that Matthew isnt with us to celebrate his 18th birthday. To laugh, to joke, to smile or to try and see how many pieces of pizza he could eat. But rest assured Matthew wont be forgotten today or any day. He was the kind of person that no one will ever forget. The memories we all shared will last a lifetime.
Again Happy Birthday Matthew, Miss You So Much!