Special Projects

Preserving Canada’s Stories: Why Beechwood Needs You This Giving Tuesday

nmccarthy — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:55:42 +0000

Preserving Canada’s Stories: Why Beechwood Needs You This Giving Tuesday nmccarthy Mon, 12/01/2025 - 07:55:AM

As Canadians come together for Giving Tuesday, we are reminded of the responsibility we share to honour our past, support our present, and safeguard our future. At Beechwood Cemetery, Canada’s National Cemetery, this responsibility takes on a profound meaning.

Stretching across 160 acres of historic, ecological, and cultural significance, Beechwood is a living testament to the people, stories, and sacrifices that built our country. And in 2025, our mission has never been more important.

Beechwood: A National Landscape of Memory and Meaning

Beechwood is more than a place of rest. It is a national institution where remembrance, education, environmental stewardship, and community service converge. Every pathway tells a story. Every tree marks a moment in time. Every ceremony invites Canadians to remember not just who we were, but who we aspire to be.

From veterans and trailblazers to immigrant families and community leaders, Beechwood holds the stories of generations of Canadians whose legacies continue to shape our national identity. These stories deserve to be protected, preserved, and shared.

Your support this Giving Tuesday ensures that they are. Your Impact Fuels Transformative Work.

In 2026, Beechwood is expanding its programs more than ever before. Your contribution empowers us to deliver impactful initiatives that serve families, youth, communities, and the environment.

Honouring Nature and Protecting the Environment Beechwood’s grounds are a living green space at the heart of Canada’s capital:

The Beechwood Arboretum Project : A national living collection of heritage trees that deepens the link between remembrance, nature, and our shared story.
Urban Macoun Marsh Environmental Restoration : A major 2025-2026 initiative restoring a fragile wetland ecosystem, expanding protected habitat, and renewing one of Ottawa’s most unique urban nature sites.

Educating the Next Generation Beechwood remains committed to ensuring that young Canadians understand the sacrifices and achievements of those who came before them.

Expanded free historical and themed tours
New school programs and youth-engagement activities
No Stone Left Alone ceremonies, where students place poppies at military graves to ensure every soldier is remembered
National Day of Service and Headstone Cleaning Day, bringing volunteers and families together to care for the resting places of Canadian Forces members

These programs ensure that remembrance and education remain active, lived experiences, not distant concepts.

Honouring Canadian Legacy & Strengthening Civic Pride

Beechwood’s role as a steward of national memory continues to grow in 2025:

The Great Canadian Plaques Program Recognizing Canadians who shaped our national story.
Under the Maple Leaf – Respecting the Canadian Flag Our new national program providing Canadians with a dignified, respectful way to retire their worn flags. Through ceremony and education, this initiative deepens understanding of citizenship, pride, and remembrance.

Providing Compassion, Comfort & Healing Beechwood is also a centre of care, connection, and healing.

Grief and bereavement programming, including the Butterfly Remembrance Service and Candlelight Service
Support for families navigating grief, offering spaces for reflection, ceremony, and community
Arts and cultural initiatives, including Chamberfest’s adaptive concerts, which bring comfort, beauty, and resilience into our spaces These programs ensure that Beechwood remains a place where history and humanity meet.

Why Your Giving Tuesday Gift Matters Beechwood’s impact is national.

Our responsibility is immense. And our programming continues to grow in scope and significance. Your support ensures that:

Our historical and cultural landmarks remain preserved
Our environmental stewardship thrives
Our remembrance and educational programming expands
Our grief support programs continue to uplift families
Our national initiatives, like Under the Maple Leaf, reach more Canadians
Beechwood remains a place of honour, peace, and connection for generations Your gift protects what must never be forgotten.

Help Us Protect Canada’s Legacy

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to make a meaningful contribution to the Beechwood Cemetery Foundation. Every gift, large or small, creates immediate impact and strengthens Beechwood’s mission as the National Cemetery of Canada. Your generosity preserves stories.

It sustains remembrance. It protects nature. It supports families. It inspires the future. Donate today.

Together, we can keep Canada’s stories alive.

Special Projects

December 2, 2025

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Anne Frank – A History for Today - Installed inside the Beechwood National Memorial Centre until November 30st

ewagner — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 15:25:07 +0000

Anne Frank – A History for Today - Installed inside the Beechwood National Memorial Centre until November 30st ewagner Wed, 10/29/2025 - 11:25:AM

Beechwood Cemetery is honoured to host the powerful and internationally acclaimed exhibition “Anne Frank – A History for Today” at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre. This initiative is presented in partnership with the Anne Frank House, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Beechwood, the National Cemetery of Canada, as part of our shared commitment to remembrance, education, and the promotion of human rights.

The Exhibition will be on display in the Beechwood National Memorial Centre throughout East side of the building until November 30th, 2025. You are welcome to visit during business hours.

About the Exhibition

“Anne Frank – A History for Today” tells the story of Anne Frank and her family in the context of the Holocaust and the Second World War. Through bilingual (English/French) panels, visitors will engage with themes of discrimination, persecution, courage, and resistance.

This exhibition is part of an ongoing effort to connect past lessons with present challenges, and to create space for dialogue and understanding. We are proud to offer this opportunity to Ottawa residents and visitors through this meaningful collaboration.

Special Projects

October 29, 2025

Preserving Canada’s National Cemetery: Building the Future Together

nmccarthy — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:48:26 +0000

Preserving Canada’s National Cemetery: Building the Future Together nmccarthy Tue, 10/28/2025 - 07:48:AM

A Living Legacy of Remembrance

Beechwood Cemetery stands as more than a final resting place, it is Canada’s national site of memory, honour, and reflection. Each tree-lined path, each monument, and each section tells a chapter of our collective story, from the earliest community builders to the men and women who served in uniform, to the families who helped shape this country.

For over 150 years, Beechwood has remained a place where Canadians come to remember, to learn, and to reconnect with our shared history. Yet maintaining this legacy, and ensuring it continues to grow, depends on community support.

Why Fundraising Matters

As a not-for-profit organization and national charity, Beechwood Cemetery Foundation reinvests every donation into preserving our sacred grounds, expanding our educational programs, and ensuring that remembrance remains at the heart of our mission.

Your generosity supports:

National ceremonies and commemorations that honour Canada’s veterans, peacekeepers, and public safety personnel.
Educational programs and tours for schools, youth groups, and the public, fostering a deeper understanding of Canadian heritage.
Environmental stewardship through Beechwood’s Arboretum and green initiatives, protecting the natural beauty that surrounds our historic grounds.
Future Capital projects, such as the Beechwood National Memorial Centre Expansion, a space designed to serve generations to come as a hub for remembrance, education, and celebration.

Every contribution, whether $50 or $5,000, directly strengthens the foundation of remembrance in Canada’s capital.

A Call to Action

In a time when remembrance must be both preserved and renewed, your support ensures Beechwood remains a living, evolving national treasure.

Together, we can expand spaces that inspire reflection, maintain the natural sanctuaries that bring peace, and build a legacy that endures.

Make your mark in Canada’s story.

Support the Beechwood Cemetery Foundation today.

Special Projects

October 28, 2025

From Coast to Coast to Coast: Honouring the Maple Leaf This Fall

nmccarthy — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:28:28 +0000

From Coast to Coast to Coast: Honouring the Maple Leaf This Fall nmccarthy Tue, 10/14/2025 - 08:28:AM

As the air turns crisp and the last leaves fall, Canadians across the country begin their annual rituals of closing cottages, storing patio furniture, and preparing for winter. It’s a time of reflection; a time when we take stock of what has weathered the seasons and what deserves renewal.

Among these quiet autumn tasks, there is one that carries special meaning: checking the flag that has flown proudly over our homes, workplaces, and cottages all summer long.

A Symbol Worthy of Respect

The Canadian Flag and our provincial and territorial flags stand as enduring symbols of unity, pride, and shared identity. They have seen us through moments of joy and sorrow, from Olympic victories to Remembrance Day parades, from civic celebrations to solemn ceremonies.

But even the most resilient flag cannot escape time and the elements. Sun, rain, and wind take their toll. When our flags become tattered, faded, or worn, it’s more than just a sign of weathering, it’s a call to honour them with the dignity they deserve.

A National Act of Respect

This fall, Beechwood Cemetery, the National Cemetery of Canada, invites Canadians from coast to coast to coast to take part in Under the Maple Leaf - Respecting the Canadian Flag - a national initiative dedicated to the respectful retirement of Canadian and provincial flags.

We are calling on individuals, families, organizations, schools, and community groups to send us their tattered, faded, and ripped flags so they may be retired with honour through a dignified cremation process in accordance with Canadian Heritage protocol.

This process is carried out at Beechwood’s state-of-the-art facility ensuring environmental responsibility while preserving the sanctity of our national symbols.

Why It Matters

Retiring a flag with respect is not simply a matter of protocol; it’s a gesture of gratitude. It’s a way of saying thank you to the ideals those flags represent:

Freedom and equality
Service and sacrifice
Community and compassion

As the National Cemetery of Canada, Beechwood is entrusted with safeguarding the stories, symbols, and traditions that unite us as a people. By properly retiring our flags, we reaffirm the values that define our nation.

How You Can Participate

As you prepare for winter, take a moment to inspect the flag you’ve flown through the summer.

If it’s ready to be retired:

Fold it neatly
Send it to: Honour Our Flag c/o Beechwood Cemetery 280 Beechwood Avenue Ottawa, Ontario K1L 8A6

Once received, your flag will be respectfully cremated, ensuring it receives the same honour and care it displayed in life.

Together, Under the Maple Leaf

Every flag tells a story of a home, a family, a community, a province, and a nation. By retiring them together, we weave those stories into a shared act of remembrance and unity.

This fall, let’s come together under the Maple Leaf to show that our pride as Canadians endures long after the fabric fades. Because to honour our flag is to honour ourselves and the country we call home.

Join us. Send your flag. Honour the Maple Leaf.

Special Projects

October 16, 2025

Why Reconciliation Matters at Beechwood

nmccarthy — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 14:26:59 +0000

Why Reconciliation Matters at Beechwood nmccarthy Mon, 09/29/2025 - 10:26:AM

Every September 30, Beechwood Cemetery opens its gates not just as a place of rest, but as a place of learning. On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we dedicate an entire day to education, reflection, and dialogue.

Why? Because reconciliation is not an abstract idea, it’s a responsibility. And as the National Cemetery of Canada, Beechwood has a duty to ensure that all stories are remembered.

A Cemetery That Holds All Our Stories

Beechwood is home to the memories of Canadians from every walk of life, military leaders, politicians, community builders, artists, and everyday families. But our history is not only one of achievement; it is also marked by deep injustices. The legacy of the residential school system is one of those truths that cannot be ignored.

This is why Beechwood commits itself to reconciliation, not as a symbolic gesture, but as part of its mission to tell the full Canadian story.

We do not do this work alone. Beechwood partners with the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society and A7G (Assembly of Seven Generations). Together, we have developed programming that is led by community voices, ensuring that what we present is not only historically accurate but also respectful and rooted in lived experience.

Our Reconciling History tours shine a light on figures buried here who played key roles, both positive and negative, in the history of residential schools. We tell the stories of people like Duncan Campbell Scott, one of the architects of the system, and Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce, who spoke out against its abuses. Walking among the gravestones, participants confront how decisions made by individuals shaped the lives of thousands of Indigenous children.

Why a Full Day?

Reconciliation requires more than a moment of silence. It requires time.

That’s why Beechwood dedicates an entire day on September 30 to guided tours, student learning sessions, and public discussions. From morning until evening, our grounds are transformed into classrooms without walls. Each tour takes about an hour, allowing space not only to learn but to ask questions and reflect.

Families, students, and community groups come together, wearing orange shirts, sharing stories, and building connections. It is a day to slow down, listen, and leave with both knowledge and a call to action.

Our Ongoing Commitment

At Beechwood, reconciliation is not confined to one day. September 30 is a catalyst, but the work continues year-round. Our educational tours, partnerships, and public programs all serve one purpose: to ensure Canadians remember not only with pride, but also with honesty.

Because reconciliation is not about the past alone, it’s about the future we are building together.

Special Projects

September 30, 2025

Beechwood’s Living Library – Trailblazers 2025

ewagner — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:25:45 +0000

Beechwood’s Living Library – Trailblazers 2025 ewagner Wed, 08/27/2025 - 11:25:AM

Beechwood’s Living Library – Trailblazers 2025

Walk Among the Stories That Shaped Canada

Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Starting Location: Section 27, at the Tank
Location: Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa K1L 8A6
View Event Details

This year’s Living Library: Trailblazers invites you to experience Canadian history in motion through live performances, storytelling, and a walking tour that highlights individuals who helped shape the nation. The event begins at a location that is as meaningful as the stories being told.

Start your visit at Section 27, at the Tank.

From here, guests will receive a map and are free to explore the grounds at their own pace, encountering actors from the Ottawa School of Theatre who will bring four trailblazing Canadians to life.

This starting location not only sets the physical direction of the event—it also sets the emotional tone. Positioned among the final resting places of veterans and public servants, the Tank stands as a symbol of dedication, courage, and national service.

This Year’s Trailblazers

As you walk the grounds, you’ll meet the stories of four remarkable Canadians portrayed at their actual gravesites:

Ruth Margaret Spencer – A pioneering naval librarian and cultural advocate who served during WWII
Shirley Moulds – A groundbreaking women’s hockey player and champion of sports equality
Lawrence Morris Lambe – One of Canada’s foremost paleontologists, who named several iconic dinosaurs
James Wilson Robertson – An agricultural innovator whose work influenced Canada’s global food policies after WWI

Each story is shared by The Ottawa School of Theatre in period-appropriate costume, offering a powerful blend of fact and feeling.

Practical Details

Parking: Parking is available near the Tank and along the road in the area.
Weather: This is an outdoor event. Please dress for the weather and bring water.
Navigation: Maps will be available to help guide attendees to the highlighted graves. Visitors are welcome to take the route in any order after starting at Section 27.

Special Projects

August 27, 2025

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Unlock Our History: Why Free Access to Canada’s Past Matters More Than Ever

nmccarthy — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 12:35:24 +0000

Unlock Our History: Why Free Access to Canada’s Past Matters More Than Ever nmccarthy Tue, 07/15/2025 - 08:35:AM

Beechwood is more than a cemetery. It is a national place of memory - a living archive of Canadian identity that welcomes thousands of visitors each year to walk through the lives and legacies that shaped this country. But what truly sets Beechwood apart is that our guided tours are completely free and open to all.

We believe that Canadian history should not be behind a paywall. That access to our past should not depend on your income, background, or age. That every person, from every walk of life, deserves the opportunity to walk through our grounds and experience the stories of the people who built our nation.

That’s why we launched the #UnlockOurHistory campaign.

The Power of a Walk Through History

A tour at Beechwood is not just a list of facts. It’s a layered, immersive experience where visitors can reflect on the lives of war heroes, national artists, pioneering women, Indigenous leaders, and everyday citizens who shaped Canada in quiet yet powerful ways. With no ticket price or registration fee, these stories are made available to students, newcomers, veterans, families, and everyday Canadians without barriers.

Whether it’s a school group learning about Remembrance, a family visiting loved ones while hearing about other figures who rest nearby, or a newcomer discovering Canadian identity through the lives of others—these moments are made possible because the gates are open, the stories are free, and the experience is shared.

Why It’s Free - and Why It Needs You

Offering free tours isn’t just a gesture of goodwill - it’s a statement of principle. Public history should remain accessible, inclusive, and unfiltered. We don’t charge for access because we believe Canadian history belongs to everyone.

But delivering these tours still requires commitment, coordination, and community support.

That’s where you come in. Your donation to the Beechwood Cemetery Foundation helps ensure these public tours remain free - today and for generations to come. Every dollar helps us welcome more visitors and share more of our collective story.

It All Leads Here: Living Library – Trailblazers

On Sunday, September 7th from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM, we invite you to witness the impact of your support in person. Join us for Beechwood’s Annual Living Library: Trailblazers - a powerful event where living storytellers share their personal journeys and experiences as they helped shape Canada’s evolving identity.

Walk among the graves. Listen to real people. Celebrate the living history around us. This event is, like our tours, free and open to the public—a testament to our belief that history comes alive when it’s shared.

Living Library: Trailblazers
Sunday, September 7th
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa
Free admission | All are welcome

Join the Movement

If you believe in making Canadian history accessible… If you’ve ever walked our paths and felt a connection… If you want others to experience the same…

Please consider making a donation today.

Help us #UnlockOurHistory - for everyone. Donate now: https://www.beechwoodottawa.ca/en/donation

Special Projects

July 17, 2025

The Book of Remembrance at Beechwood Cemetery

nmccarthy — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 13:03:58 +0000

The Book of Remembrance at Beechwood Cemetery nmccarthy Thu, 07/03/2025 - 09:03:AM

Tucked within the serene halls of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre lies a powerful and enduring tribute - the Book of Remembrance. This unique offering is more than a record; it is a living memorial to those who have shaped our lives and communities.

A Daily Act of Remembrance

At the heart of this commemorative experience is the turning of a page. Every morning, a new page in the Book of Remembrance is unveiled, marking that day’s date and presenting the names and lifespans of those memorialized. This simple yet profound act ensures that each individual is honoured annually on the anniversary of their passing. It is a ritual of reflection—quiet, dignified, and deeply human.

Housed in Honour

The Book of Remembrance is respectfully housed in a large, elegant glass display case within the Beechwood National Memorial Centre. This space, dedicated to memory and legacy, allows families and friends to visit and witness the name of their loved one on the exact date of their death - offering comfort, reverence, and a permanent place in Canada’s national story.

Whether visited in solitude or with others, this setting provides a calm and contemplative space to reflect on a life once lived and forever remembered.

The Power of a Name and Date

A name and a date may seem simple, but when recorded in the Book of Remembrance, they become part of a collective memory. This offering is particularly meaningful for those who may not have a traditional grave to visit, or for families spread across the country who are seeking a lasting and dignified way to commemorate someone dear.

The Epitaph option also allows for an additional layer of personalization - a final word, quote, or sentiment that speaks to the essence of the departed and leaves a message for future generations.

An Enduring Legacy

Beechwood Cemetery - National Cemetery of Canada - is committed to providing meaningful ways to honour the deceased. The Book of Remembrance and Epitaph offering reflects this commitment by creating a permanent and respectful place of remembrance for all.

Whether you are looking to commemorate a loved one, plan your own legacy, or seek a timeless memorial option, this offering allows your story - or theirs - to be preserved in a way that is seen, respected, and remembered every year.

To learn more about the Book of Remembrance and Epitaph, or to inquire about purchasing a please vist https://www.beechwoodottawa.ca/en/beechwood-store/memorial-gifts/book-remembrance

Let every name be remembered. Let every life be honoured.

Special Projects

July 3, 2025

Beechwood Cemetery: Where Canada’s Stories Live On

nmccarthy — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:18:10 +0000

Beechwood Cemetery: Where Canada’s Stories Live On nmccarthy Wed, 06/11/2025 - 01:18:PM

Canada’s identity isn’t written in a single language, culture, or faith. It’s written in stories, millions of them, woven together across generations. At Beechwood Cemetery, these stories aren’t forgotten. They are remembered, honoured, and shared. That’s what makes Beechwood not just a cemetery, but a celebration of Canada itself.

From its founding in 1873 to its official designation as Canada’s National Cemetery in 2009, Beechwood has become a unique national institution, one that embodies our collective identity, honours our diversity, and reflects our shared values.

Beechwood is the final resting place for over 85,000 Canadians. But more than numbers, it is a place where names come alive through narrative, where we remember not just how people died, but how they lived, what they built, who they loved, and the legacies they left behind.

Here, a young refugee who made Canada home lies near a diplomat who shaped our international presence. A trailblazing nurse rests not far from a soldier who served in Dieppe. A Supreme Court Justice is honoured in the same cemetery as a poet, a firefighter, or a teacher. Each stone, each name, is part of Canada’s unfolding story.

Nowhere else does Canada’s multicultural character feel so present and thoughtfully honoured. Beechwood is a place where people from all walks of life, regardless of culture, language, or faith, are remembered with dignity.

From longstanding communities to newer cultural groups, Beechwood reflects the evolving face of Canada. Burial traditions and customs are respected, languages are preserved on monuments, and community spaces ensure that every Canadian story, no matter its origin, is valued.

In this national cemetery, the richness of Canadian identity is not only recognized, it’s celebrated. Beechwood stands as a quiet but powerful reminder that our strength as a country lies in our diversity, and in our shared commitment to remembering every chapter of the Canadian journey.

Stories That Teach and Inspire

At Beechwood, remembrance isn’t passive. It’s active and educational. Through public tours, storytelling events, and school programs, the cemetery is a place where Canadians of all ages come to discover history that lives in their own community. You might hear about the families who helped build Ottawa’s early neighbourhoods, or about individuals from around the world who chose Canada as home and gave back in extraordinary ways.

You’ll discover artists, innovators, veterans, leaders, and unsung heroes, all of them part of Canada’s larger story. By sharing these stories, Beechwood helps us understand that Canadian identity is not inherited, it is built, daily, by those who came before us.

Where We Remember Who We Are

In a world that moves quickly, Beechwood invites us to slow down and reflect. It reminds us that citizenship is more than a passport, and heritage is more than ancestry. It is a shared responsibility to remember, to honour, and to tell the stories that define us as a people. Beechwood is not a place of endings. It is a place of continuity, where the past speaks to the present and guides the future. Through every name, every tree, every ceremony, we are reminded that Canada is not one story, it is all our stories, together.

Beechwood Cemetery: Where Canada remembers, and where Canada lives on.

Come walk with us. Come listen to the stories. Come celebrate what it means to be Canadian.

Special Projects

June 12, 2025

Honouring a Proud Legacy: Official Opening of the RCMP Veterans’ Legacy Pathway

nmccarthy — Mon, 26 May 2025 12:58:47 +0000

Honouring a Proud Legacy: Official Opening of the RCMP Veterans’ Legacy Pathway nmccarthy Mon, 05/26/2025 - 08:58:AM

May 23, 2023 | RCMP National Memorial Cemetery at Beechwood

On a historic spring morning, dignitaries, RCMP Veterans, families, and supporters gathered at the RCMP National Memorial Cemetery at Beechwood for the official unveiling of the RCMP Veterans’ Legacy Pathway. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in preserving and celebrating the legacy of those who served in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The ceremony began with opening remarks from RCMP Veteran Marc Dureau, who set the tone for a reflective and reverent event. RCMP Elder Jim Potts delivered a land acknowledgement and Indigenous welcome, accompanied by the Eagle Staff carried by RCMP Veteran Jeff Poulette. RCMP Veteran Garth Hampson followed with a powerful rendition of the national anthem, grounding the event in Canadian pride.

A Pathway Built on History and Honour

RCMP Veteran Christine Windover introduced the Legacy Pathway, a vision brought to life to recognize and share the storied journey of the RCMP. The pathway features ten commemorative granite monoliths, quarried from the same site as the Parliament Buildings, anchoring the RCMP’s legacy within Canada’s national identity.

Each stone includes bilingual plaques detailing major chapters in RCMP history:

North-West Mounted Police (1873–1903): Traces the Force’s founding and role in western expansion, law enforcement, and treaty facilitation.
Royal North-West Mounted Police (1904–1919): Details the expansion into the Arctic and contributions to World War and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (1920–1938): Marks the merger with the Dominion Police and modernization efforts.
RCMP During WWII (1939–1973): Highlights wartime service, including the ST ROCH’s Arctic voyages and post-war growth.
Modernization & Multiculturalism (1974–1998): Chronicles the shift toward diversity, community policing, and international peacekeeping roles.
The Contemporary RCMP (1999–Present): Addresses evolving challenges like terrorism and reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
RCMP Veterans’ Association Crest: Central to the Pathway, the crest symbolizes honour, service, and unity.

At the heart of the Pathway is the RCMP Veterans’ Association crest, unveiled by veterans Jack Briscoe, Mel Oickle, Ralph Mahar, and Fred Lyle, with remarks from RCMP Veteran David Jeggo. The crest and Pathway offer a national space for reflection, remembrance, and education.

Following the official ribbon-cutting, dignitaries including Senator Beverly Busson, Veterans Affairs Canada’s Robert Löken, Assistant Commissioner Robert Gilchrist, Brigadier General Vanessa Hanrahan, and others symbolically opened the site. Mounted RCMP members traversed the Pathway while the RCMP Pipes & Drums played the Regimental March, a poignant reminder of tradition and service.

Remarks from RCMP Veterans Association President Sandra Conlin, Assistant Commissioner Gilchrist, and Beechwood’s Nicolas McCarthy echoed themes of legacy, renewal, and national pride.

Recognizing Supporters Project Chair RCMP Veteran Kevin Mole delivered donor acknowledgements and unveiled the commemorative donor plaque alongside RCMP Veterans Michel Pelletier and Louise Morel. Their leadership exemplifies true civic responsibility and enduring respect for Canada’s national police force.

Closing Moments Chaplain Pierre Bélanger offered a heartfelt blessing of the Pathway, followed by a performance of the Royal Anthem by Garth Hampson. Marc Dureau returned to close the ceremony, thanking all in attendance and reaffirming the lasting value of remembrance.

The RCMP Veterans’ Legacy Pathway is more than a commemorative installation—it is a national testament to honour, a public archive of RCMP service, and a living tribute to the enduring bond between those who have worn the uniform and the country they served.

It stands now as a permanent part of Canada’s heritage at Beechwood Cemetery, inviting generations to learn, reflect, and honour. Together, we remember. Together, we honour.

Special Projects

May 26, 2025