Comments

I wish to sincerely thank everyone who has sent messages of encouragement for the National RCMP Vet Grave Location and Maintenance Website. These comments were selected from the many messages which have been received.

a) Don Cherry

Dear Superintendent Healy,

I believe that the rule of law is one of the foundations of a just and democratic society.

In promising to uphold the rule of law, RCMP officers choose one of the most difficult and honourable professions in the world. They put their lives at risk to protect our citizens. In doing so, they contribute much to our collective well-being.

It is therefore important that their legacies be cared for and protected.

I would like to thank and congratulate you for the important work you are doing in ensuring the maintenance of the grave sites of deceased RCMP members. This is a wonderful way to show our appreciation and respect to those individuals who dedicated their lives to public service.

I am proud to support you and the volunteers who work on behalf of this important project. Please keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

Rodney MacDonald, MLA
Former Premier of Nova Scotia (pictured above)

Letter from Rick Hansen
Letter from Robert Ghiz
Campbell Letter Premier Campbell
Premier Gordon Campbell of British Columbia

Buffalo Joe replies;

Dear Premier Campbell,

It is an honour for the RCMP Vets to receive your letter and it is important for you to know how greatly we appreciate the stories you have shared with us. You certainly have wonderful and unique memories of times spent with your great grandfather and you have enriched our understanding of one of our earliest Commissioners.

It is of great interest to us as you pointed out that Comm'r Perry was the only Officer to have led the Force as Commissioner of the NWMP, the RNWMP and the RCMP.

Yours truly,

J. J. (Buffalo Joe) Healy
Supt. (rt'd)
Ottawa, Ontario
Blair letter

Hi Buffalo Joe.

I am very proud that you took on the large task of creating memories for so many RCMP officers who spent their lives ensuring we all live better lives.

I smile when I picture you as a rookie constable being assigned to dig your first grave in Regina -- but, I'm sure you would never have anticipated digging one as your first task for the RCMP!

Over the years, I closely followed your successful career and it is heartwarming to see you have used your retirement to give back to your community in general, and specifically to your RCMP community through this website.

Warmly,

Trudy Eagan (rd't)
Executive Vice-President &
Chief Administrative Officer
Sun Media Corporation
Toronto, Ontario

Hi Joe,

I think this website is a wonderful idea and long overdue. What better way is there to honour the memory of deceased friends and colleagues than to care for their graves.

Regards,

Robert Knuckle
Canadian Author

Buffalo Joe replies: Thanks sincerely Bob for your friendship, advice and support for the Vets’ Grave Location and Maintenance Program.

Your book : In the Line of Duty, Volume II: From Fort Macleod to Mayerthorpe (Honour Roll of the RCMP) is a rich source of research material for all those interested in RCMP history – from Regina cadet to retired vet! It has been an invaluable aid to me. Thank you.

Dear Buffalo Joe,

Here's the irony…both my parents were Officers with the London Metropolitan Police Force!

My father ended being quite high up in "the Force", and if there hadn't been such a stringent height requirement in the early '80's in the UK, I would have probably signed up myself.

My father had 3 rules at work, that I have taken as my own -- the 3 "L's" as he called them:

DON'T BE:

  1. LATE
  2. LAZY
  3. LIE

As I have grown older, my 3 "L's" have come to epitomize all that I believe is right, and everything that the RCMP stands for!

Glad to be of support!

Claire Martin
CBC Chief Meteorologist
Vancouver, BC

Bufflalo Joe replies: Dear Claire, you’re a jolly good sport and a tip of our Stetson to you!



Dear Joe,

Thanks so much for the letter, and yes I am proud that my grandfather John T. Cherry was a mountie and did the famous March West. To my sorrow, I do not know much about his time in the mounties. I know when he joined and when he left, my father did not tell me much. I know when he left the mounties, he became a sailor and then a captain for 40 years on the Great Lakes. If you could find a picture of John T. I would be grateful as I don't have a picture of him. Thanks for including my grandfather in your database,

Don

Bufflalo Joe replies: Dear Don, be assured that the RCMP Vets are appreciative of your endorsement and enthusiasm for the RCMP Graves database.

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