This past weekend was the 16th annual Canadian Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation Memorial Service in Ottawa.
The Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs hosted the event and Dauphin Fire Chief, Cam Abrey, was there with them.
Sunday was the official memorial service. Some of the firefighters drove shuttles to get the families to the service. Some members were a part of the official Colour Party Honour Guard; Axe Bearer; and, two members presented helmets and a small token to each family who had lost a loved one. Abrey, and four others, marched with the Pipes and Drums Colour Party, and lead the rest of the 1000 firefighters to the memorial.
Abrey has been to the event before but never as a participant.
“Honored, it’s a very humbling experience to be able to take part in that and know that you’re there to support the families that have lost their loved one. From sitting in the crowd and watching it, to actually being a part of it, there’s no words that I can use to describe the feeling that was there.”
Abrey would like to see members of the Manitoba Fire Service attend the service every year.
