This weekend in Ottawa is the 16th annual Canadian fallen firefighter’s foundation memorial service.
Dauphin Fire Chief, Cam Abrey is there with the host Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs.
“I’ve had the privilege once before to attend, but this is my first time to attend as one of the assistants or aids to the event. The family members of all those that have passed in the past year, are being honoured on the Memorial Wall in Ottawa, our association, the Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs has been doing some fundraising over the past two to three years in order to make this a possibility, so we can honour those that have gone before us.”
Abrey explains how it feels to be a part of the service.
“It’s a very humbling experience to be here and just to provide some sort of support to the families that have lost their loved ones over the past year.”
Yesterday, the firefighters’ roles were to help shuttle families from the airport to the host hotel and provide supper to the families. Today they’ll be meeting with the families, provide some support, and show them the sights of Ottawa. Tomorrow is the service and following that, the firefighters will shuttle the families back to the airport.
During the service, Abrey and 15 others will be in the honour guard, so in full dress uniform, marching up to Lebreton Flats, where the memorial is. The president of the Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs will have a speaking role during the service.
Since tomorrow is National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Day, the flags at the fire station will be at half-mast.
