The British Columbia Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA), Provincial Emergency Program Air (PEP AIR), and Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) have worked together on the Search and Rescue Memorial Committee with the purpose of; ‘to establish a memorial for those Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers in British Columbia who have lost their lives in the line of duty and to honour all that serve.’
The Speaker of the legislative Assembly has approved the installation of the memorial on the grounds of the Legislative Buildings in Victoria in the vicinity of memorials for Firefighters, Paramedics and Law Enforcement Officers, and the Emergency Services Memorial Gardens. The Committee has worked closely with Mortimer’s Memorials of Victoria in the design and plans for the memorial; the manufacturer has sourced and shaped the stone and is currently polishing the surface in preparation for engraving. The photographs show a rendering of the memorial on the site from several perspectives.
We are pleased to announce that the unveiling of the memorial will be held on March 2, 2017 at 1200hrs (noon). The Speaker along with members of the legislative Assembly will conduct the ceremony. Representatives from the Ground SAR Groups who will have Volunteers listed on the memorial will be invited to attend as part of the official group along with the families and committee members. While official invitations will be limited other members from Search and Rescue and other First Responder organizations will be invited to observe along with the public. Future commemorative events will be planned by the three organizations.
Further updates will be provided as the planning of the unveiling event moves ahead, in the meantime please contact sarmemorial@bcsara.com with any questions.
poor poor people
they were brave people
Wish I could come and see the unveiling on the 2nd.
I am pleased my 2 brothers and their 2 friends will have their names on this memorial. They all died in a plane crash while looking for a downed aircraft. Also for the others on Search and Rescue missions who lost their lives while trying to help others.
Hi Christine.
We’re your brothers the ones who went down in the Kootenays? I was on that search. I am the one who wrote the prayer and is now on the monument in Winnipeg.
Hi Dan, my Dad is one of the men that was on the plane that went down on July 7, 1996. Just want to thank you for the prayer. It was read at the memorial yesterday and though it is not the first time I have heard it, it was still beautiful to hear again.
Thank you Jennifer. I wanted so much to attend yesterday but work just could not be left unfortunately.
Love and hugs to your entire family.
I had a number of occasions that I met and spoke with Rick. I consider him a friend and even more, when you take part in these kinds of things together, he is also a brother. I was actually on the aircraft that first spotted his plane after it went down. I think of all of them on that plane often.
Hi Dan,
Bill Bing was my uncle and like Jennifer I would like to say thank you for the beautiful poem. It was too bad that you couldn’t be there as the service was very moving. I would like to ask your permission to post the poem on my blog?
Mona Smith
Oh of course Mona. The poem (prayer) belongs to everyone.
I remember meeting all the families in Winnipeg and Nelson. It was such an honor.
May I ask where I may find your blog?
Judy (Craig) Cave
Thank you, thank you, thank you….to everyone involved with seeing this beautiful momument become a reality. The ceremony was “outstanding”, my daughter Paula and I were very touched by it all! It’s been over 33 years since we lost our dear John Craig, he may be gone but he is never forgotten!!!! Our family and friends will be delighted to be able to visit the “Garden of Honor”! (and yes the poem/prayer was beautiful, thank you!)