Fort Calgary celebrates Mountie Day
Posted May 21, 2012 3:06 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Calgarians join veterans and retired RCMP officers to celebrate the 139th anniversary of the formation of the North West Mounted Police.
The NWMP was established May 23, 1863, and took on the title of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1920.
Fort Calgary celebrated the milestone Monday, with face painting, balloon animals and tours of the museum.
For retired Staff Sgt. Curly Elliot, Mountie Day is a time to reflect.
“This is keeping up the history of the force, celebrating the birthday. You know, this is the heart and soul of Calgary, where it all started at Fort Calgary with the junction of the Bow and Elbow rivers,” he adds.
Eric brought his two boys down to the celebration because he says it’s a significant moment in Canadian history.
“The RCMP day also reflects when Canada decided to have it’s own boundaries,” he says.
Retired members say they are touched Calgarians came down to show their support and hope more will stop by during the summer.
