RCMP Watch

Katie Smith, PEI (The Guardian) - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have been an integral part of Prince Edward Island for 75 years.

To celebrate the anniversary, events were scheduled Islandwide throughout the year.

To help conclude the year, members of the RCMP ‘L’ Division held a church parade and service Sunday at Trinity United Church in Charlottetown.

Nearly 30 members gathered in the front of the church on the first Sunday of Advent and were welcomed by Rev. John Moses.

Chief Superintendent Randy Robar, Commanding Officer of ‘L’ Division, addressed the members and the rest of the congregation, reflecting on the anniversary year.

Members of the RCMP are sons and daughters of fishermen, farmers, doctors and lawyers, he said.

“We are all part and parcel of the Canadian mosaic,” he said. “That is one of the reasons we are so proud of the uniform we wear.”

The RCMP is not an organization because of the colour of uniform the members wear, he continued.

“The RCMP is made up of all the cultures in Canada and it certainly represents part of the Canadian culture.”

The year 2007 will go down in history as a memorable year, he said.

“The 75th anniversary of the RCMP will never be forgotten in my mind and I doubt very much it will ever be forgotten in the minds of the members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Prince Edward Island.”

One of the celebratory events that took place this year was the RCMP Musical Ride, where members dress in the world-recognized red serge and ride highly trained horses.

It began in Regina in 1887 and has pleased crowds across the world ever since.

The Musical Ride performed in several locations across the Island, including Alberton, Crapaud, Montague and Charlottetown.