Kevin Vickers will speak at Moncton fundraiser for RCMP, military
Ex-House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms says 'New Brunswick the essence of what Canada is all about'
Canadian hero Kevin Vickers will be the keynote speaker at a Moncton fundraising dinner to support military and RCMP families on Nov. 10.
Money raised at the "Lest We Forget" dinner will go to the Moncton Fallen Members Fund of the RCMP Foundation, to the Military Families Fund and to the Cadet Youth program.
Before becoming the sergeant-at-arms, Vickers, who is from Miramichi, served as a member of the RCMP for 29 years.
He says support from the public for members of the military, the police and their families is vital.
"One thing about Canadians, we do not falter in the face of danger and we always come through," he said in a videotaped statement.
Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc says it will be an honour to welcome Vickers to the city.
"I think we can all recognize his role in protecting our Parliament. Just a tremendous gentleman, an inspirational figure for all Canadians and I think it's fantastic that we will have him here," LeBlanc said.
Moncton shootings remembered
Vickers says when he heard about the fatal shootings of three RCMP officers in New Brunswick on June 4, 2014 he remembers how tremendously upset he felt.
"What immediately impressed me was the manner in which the community of Moncton responded to this terrible tragedy," he said.
"You were there for the members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, you supported them in every way."
Roger Brown, the assistant commissioner of the New Brunswick RCMP, agrees the support that all members received after the Moncton shootings was "nothing less than outstanding."
He says without the support of the public it is impossible for members of the police and the military to do their jobs.
"We choose these jobs because we believe that we can make a difference — service in uniform is a calling," he said.