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Halifax military families cautious after Quebec hit and run

There's a heightened sense of anxiety among military families with loved ones at CFB Halifax in light of the deadly attack on a Canadian Forces member in Quebec.

Two soldiers were struck in a hit and run attack in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., on Monday. Patrice Vincent, a 53-year-old warrant officer with the Canadian Forces, died and police suspect it was a deliberate attack.

The suspect, who police said became radicalized after converting to Islam, was shot dead by officers. He waited in the parking lot where Vincent was hit for at least two hours before he drove his car into the soldiers — one of whom was in uniform.

"It's different because it's on Canadian soil," said Denise Surette, who speaks for the Halifax & Region Military Family Resource Centre.

"When it comes to here at home, you want to feel safe. You want to feel like you're in the safety zone. And that changed today."

There are 11,000 members of the Canadian Forces in Halifax, including full time, reservists and civilians. At CFB Halifax, some members wear their uniform home while others change into street clothes and carry their uniforms.

Leah Rissesco's husband Jeffrey has been in the navy for 32 years and she is helping him prepare to join HMCS Toronto in two weeks.

"It is a little nerve-wracking. It's the same threat that's always been there, it's just closer now. It's here now," she said.

"We have to trust that our military is trained and equipped to deal with it. We have to trust the system, whether we like it or not."

Rissesco said she wouldn't be surprised if members of the forces choose not to wear their uniforms off base.

"I think it would be part of being vigilant," she said.

"I don't think anyone should be hypervigilant, but certainly vigilant. You don't have to arm yourselves or guard yourself, that's just going overboard, but they just have to be diligent, be aware."

Rissesco said people want to feel proud of the maple leaf and the uniform they wear and hopes the Quebec incident doesn't cause people to fear it.

In the meantime, she says, "I think if you know you're a target, it would be the wisest thing to do, is not wear your uniform and stick out."