To see all the pictures from this event, CLICK HERE:
This year the RCMP Veterans Association held their annual memorial service in the bright sunshine at the RCMP National Memorial Cemetery on the 28th May, 2023. In attendance was a small cadre of RCMP veterans along with the RCMP Pipes and Drums and the RCMP Musical Ride.
The memorial service went along standard operating procedures with wreaths, last post, lament, rouse, etc. Of particular note was 89 year old RCMP veteran Garth Hampson singing the national anthem, still in fine and strong voice. His son, Brad, led in the Pipes and Drums only a few minutes before.
What is of note in this particular memorial service is not the service itself, although the importance of remembering the sacrifice of officers around the world should be celebrated and not forgotten, are the events that took place after the service.
To start with veteran Roy Berlinquette was presented with a plaque of appreciation for his efforts with the RCMP National Memorial Cemetery, RCMP veterans, and Beechwood Cemetery, by Beechwood Cemetery President, Mr. Andrew Roy. This was followed by the unveiling of a new stone on one of the four pathways around the Cenotaph which was the new ensign for the RCMP Veterans Association.
Lastly, two plaques were unveiled along the walkway up to the Cenotaph. The first was to the Second Man which, strangely enough, refers to the wives of the RCMP members from the 1900’s and onwards who helped nurture and support their husbands’ policing careers. Nearly 500 women, some posthumously, have been awarded the Second Man award which is a silver broach with the RCMP’s crest and a certificate of appreciation, for their efforts in raising families, often in isolation, supporting their husbands and performing a range of duties without any pay. This might include guarding and feeding prisoners, washing office floors, answering phones and monitoring radios and a host of other jobs. Keep in mind that while this seems like a misogynist type of recognition for the first 100 years the RCMP did not allow female members so the recognition of the work and effort put in by these women, while maybe unrecognized at the time, is well deserved.
The second plaque was a Cross of Valour for Corporal Robert Gordon Teather for his selfless act of courage during the rescue of two men from a sinking ship at Surrey, British Columbia, in 1983. He arrived on the scene after a boat collision to find two men trapped in the hull of a sinking ship with qualified help miles away. Cpl Teather entered the hull and found the two men in a diesel fume filled air pocket. He had no backup and one of the two men couldn’t swim. Cpl Teather had to make two trips to get both men, dealing with their panic and flailing along the way as well as having his breathing apparatus knocked away. Although not knowing what he had to deal with, he decided that waiting was not an option and, at the risk of his own life, saved these two men.
That was the last bit of business for the day and the parade and Musical Ride had already been dismissed so the only thing left to do was head up to Beechwood’s main building for the reception.
==================================================
