RCMP Regimental Pipes, Drums and Dancers of Alberta

Two years ago, the RCMP Regimental Pipes, Drums and Dancers of Alberta performed at the Lest We Forget Musical Tribute at the Winspear Centre in Edmonton. It was a rare occurrence to see the Mons Bugle in the Winspear Centre during the tribute. It was at Mons, Belgium, where the Mons Bugle sounded to mark the end of World War I. At the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month, its last wartime service command was the CEASEFIRE call. It was time to go home at last.

Veteran Jerry Plastow presented a beautiful art piece on behalf of the RCMP Veterans' Association, Edmonton Division, to our band member Jeff MacDonald, who was injured in a house fire last year. The art piece depicting Whale Cove, Cape Breton, NS., was much appreciated by Jeff, originally from Cape Breton. Photo Credit: Veteran Rob Stewart

On the last Sunday of September, we would usually be attending the annual Alberta Police and Peace Officer Memorial Day to remember those Peace Officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving. Unfortunately, this year's Law Enforcement Memorial Service has been cancelled due to the current Covid-19 crisis. Watch the virtual broadcast of Parliament Hill's Commemoration of Canadian Police and Peace Officers 2020 in Ottawa at 11 a.m. EST on Sunday, September 27 at this link: CPPOM.ca/Live The police and peace officers who made the ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

A GoFundMe account has been set up in aid of Jeff MacDonald, of the RCMP Regimental Pipes & Drums of Alberta; who suffered 3rd burns to more than 15% of his body after trying to save his home from a devastating fire recently. Jeff is still in hospital and his entire house was lost. Fortunately, his pipes and fiddle were saved. Jeff, 33, is originally from Glace Bay, Cape Breton, and grew up in local Port Morien and Birch Grove. He was the first pipe-major of the Royal Canadia...n Army Cadets and later joined the 2nd Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders and moved to Edmonton at 19. As pipe-major of RCMP Edmonton, MacDonald has performed all over the world, including at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial to Canadian soldiers who fell at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in France. Jeff has many friends wishing him a speedy recovery along with his RCMP band family. Jeff has had 2 skin graft surgeries and has a long road ahead of him. The gofundme account has been set up to assist Jeff with the expenses not covered by his insurance company. https://www.gofundme.com/f/injured-and-lost-his-house-in-fi

2020 has been a challenging year. Like many, our band couldn't travel to the Hamina Tattoo in Finland this year due to the pandemic. In this video, the bands supposed to play at the Tattoo, including members of the RCMP Regimental Pipes and Drums of Alberta, are sending you a message of health, happiness and hope during this time of uncertainty. Thank you to all the frontline workers and healthcare staff who are keeping our communities healthy. https://www.youtube.com/watch

In a small Remembrance Day ceremony, Pipe Major Mike Johnson represented the RCMP Regimental Pipes, Drums and Dancers of Alberta to honour the Canadians who have served and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict, and peace. We remember those who have sacrificed their lives to give us the freedom we have today. Their sacrifice and bravery remain with us always.