City of heroes: Kevin Vickers honours people of Moncton
The former Sergeant-at-Arms in the House of Commons spoke at the Atlantic Maple Leaf dinner Tuesday night
On a night where many came to hear a speech from a man known around the world for his courage, Kevin Vickers came to meet the city he says is full of heroes.
The Lest We Forget Gala packed the Moncton Coliseum with men and women, both in service and retired, for a night of reflection ahead of Remembrance Day.
One of those veterans, was Rayman Smith, a retired service corporal who sat excitedly waiting to hear a keynote speech from Vickers.
It was you, the people of Moncton, who made me so proud.- Kevin Vickers
"That's why I'm here. He's a very courageous man."
Vickers is Canada's ambassador to Ireland and was back in his native province for his appointment to the Order of New Brunswick.
The former House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms became known around the world for his involvement in stopping Michael Zehaf-Bibeau's shooting rampage in Ottawa last year.
Vickers has always downplayed his part during the shooting and did so again ahead of his speech.
"I've always tried to maintain, this is not about Kevin Vickers," he said, noting the heroic actions of parliament security teams and the Ottawa police. "I was just one part of that team."
Despite his protests, most Canadians, including those attending the night's gala, consider him a hero.
Vickers revealed who he thinks are the real heroes and that's the people of Moncton.
"It was you, the people of Moncton, who made me so proud," said Vickers. " You did not panic. You did what had to be done."
Vickers paid tribute to the slain constables Douglas Larche, Dave Ross and Fabrice Gevaudan, and injured constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen.
"At the critical time when called upon, to serve and protect your families and children, they were there. Wearing the values of our country on their hearts and sleeves."
Vickers also spoke of those heroes not in uniform. "Your police officers and families needed you, and Moncton, you were there for them," he said.
"Not only did you care for our police and their wives and family, you, Moncton, gave them your heart."
Recognition for Sgt. Andrew Doiron
During his speech, Vickers shifted to another Monctonian lost in the past year, Sgt. Andrew Doiron, the first coalition death in the fight against ISIS.
Sgt. Doiron, he said, was a soldier and a warrior. "Andrew was what the personnel in the Canadian Forces were all about. Courage, valour, integrity," Vickers said, while pointing out that there is a price to be paid for the freedom that Canadians enjoy.
"Now how do we go forward?" Vickers asked after acknowledging the gravity of the events he and they had both gone through over the past year and a half.
After sharing what he had learned in that time from others, Vickers said the key to moving on is to learn the strength of forgiveness.
"Let us take the road less travelled," Vickers said, drawing on Robert Frost's famous poem.
"So let us ensure that Andrew, Fabrice, Douglas, David, and all of us continue to make that difference."