September 18, 2020
REGINA – Two new legacy projects launch this weekend at the RCMP Heritage Centre: the virtual launch of the Pillars of the Force initiative and the release of a brand new book, Faces of the Force: True Stories of C-1966/67.
Pillars of the Force is a major initiative of the Friends of the Mounted Police Heritage Centre (FMPHC) and the RCMP Veterans’ Association (RCMPVA) dedicated to recognizing members and employees of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who have honourably served; and, officers who, day in and day out, answer the call to duty often under difficult and challenging circumstances. They are among Canada’s best and are indeed, the Pillars of the Force. The initiative also recognizes the community at large and families who support members on the front line.
“Not only does this initiative provide a lasting legacy to those who serve and provide support,” President of the FMPHC and President of the RCMPVA’s Regina Division Bob Smart said, “Pillars of the Force also ensures the RCMP Heritage Centre has an ever expanding collection of contemporary stories and financial resources to continue sharing our story with generations to come.”
To acknowledge their service and contribution, the 21 pillars lining The Princess Royal Walk at the RCMP Heritage Centre, overlooking the north gate of “Depot” Division where troops have entered for decades, are being dedicated to recognizing veterans, serving members, public service employees, community members and families. Acknowledgements are made through the purchase of an engraved plaque on a pillar or brick in the path. All proceeds go to the RCMP Heritage Centre.
“A Virtual Pillars Wall located inside the Heritage Centre provides an informative digital screen that will share these stories of service and provide information for locating individual names and groups posted along The Princess Royal Walk,” Smart said. “The Princess Royal Walk was dedicated by The Princess Royal Anne a few weeks after the Centre opened in 2007. On being informed about this new addition to the walk, she sent us a letter that reminisced about her time in Regina and conveyed her best wishes for the official launch.”
Originally slated to open at a large public event in June, His Honour the Honourable Russ Mirasty, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan and Her Honour Donna Mirasty officially open Pillars of the Force via a virtual launch Sunday, September 20, 2020 via the Friends of the Mounted Police Heritage Centre’s YouTube channel.
PILLARS OF THE FORCE VIRTUAL LAUNCH
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2020
Time: 10:00 AM CST
FACES OF THE FORCE BOOK RELEASE
This weekend, the RCMP Heritage Centre also launches a new book: Faces of the Force: True Stories of C-1966/67. Faces of the Force is a collection of thirty-one stories by Helen Metella and Pamela Cowan published by Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing. Production made possible with the support of Creative Saskatchewan.
Faces of the Force chronicles the careers of the members of a single troop (C-1966/77), who together endured the physical and emotional challenges of training at “Depot,” and developed a sense of camaraderie and determination before graduating and heading out to their first detachments across Canada. Faces of the Force provides a firsthand look at training in the 1960s and the members’ individual experiences and careers.
“Both of these legacy projects support and help the RCMP Heritage Centre enhance our ability to fulfill our mandate: to share the story of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police,” RCMP Heritage Centre Executive Director Dan Toppings said. “These are contemporary stories that provide a glimpse into the lives of those who have served the force in a variety of capacities within the last fifty years. We are thankful to the Friends and the RCMP Veterans’ Association for their continued support.”
Faces of the Force is available in the RCMP Heritage Centre Gift Shop (5907 Dewdney Avenue) and via the RCMPHC’s e-store, as well as through Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing’s website, Chapters, Indigo, and McNally Robinson.
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