The RCMP held their annual National Memorial Service on Sunday remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.
Members of the RCMP and of the public travelled from coast to coast in to take part in the ceremony on a sunny, breezy morning.
Assistant Commissioner Jas Breton, the commanding officer at the RCMP Training Academy, said it’s an opportunity to come together as a family and honour their sacrifice.
“We see ourselves as 30,000 strong with our public servants, civilian members and regular members, and the second part is our returning families, the families of those loved ones we’ve lost,” he explained. “We always promote that we are one big family.”
Four names were added to the RCMP Cenotaph, Honour Roll Book and Memorial Wall, bringing the number of fallen members to 243 since 1873 when the North-West Mounted Police were established.
- Sergeant Donald F. Forbes (died July 17, 1920 in Battleford, Saskatchewan);
- Constable Leo Tyler Francis (died July 5, 1996 in Oromocto, New Brunswick);
- Constable Gerald Fortis (died December 25, 1997 near Chilliwack, British Columbia); and
- Superintendent Dennis Edward Massey (died December 18, 2002 in Calgary, Alberta).
243 names were read at the ceremony on Sunday, followed by a moment of silence and the playing of “Last Post”. (Photo: Moises Canales)
Tracey Hamilton, the sister of the late Cst. Francis, flew from Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick with their father Leo Francis for the ceremony.
She feels this service was a piece of the puzzle when it comes to closure.
“We’ve been waiting for this for 23 years, it’s been a long haul,” she stated. “When the RCMP advised us that this was taking place, our hearts just melted – it was time.”
Michael Fortis, the brother of Cst. Fortis, along with Gerald’s son Peter Fortis, travelled from Belleville, Ontario to take in the event.
Following the ceremony, they mentioned how it felt like a burden has finally been lifted off their shoulders.
“It’s a somber day for us because not only are we reflecting, but we’re reliving everything that happened decades ago,” said Michael Fortis. “We’re very honoured to be here.”
