I was going to write a post about the tragic circumstances that recently took place in Moncton when three RCMP officers lost their lives in the line of duty, but I don’t think I want this post to go that way. Instead, I want to write about the outpouring of support and love that followed this tragic event. Too often we focus on the event, something that we are helpless to do anything about. While it is important to report the facts, to allow time for grieving, it’s also important to allow the healing process to start.

Last weekend while we were in Moncton, a few missed turns put right down Mainstreet and the Codiac Detachment of the RCMP. I snapped a quick photo as a reminder of how communities pull together during times of grief and sorrow. It is during these times that we realize just how far those community ties reach.

Signs were up all over the city, showing their support for the women and men who keep us safe.

I thought this quote from the assistant commissioner of New Brunswick, Roger Brown said it quite well.

“Walking in front of the detachment and seeing it transformed into a community memorial to our three fallen members left me overwhelmed. While it’s usually our job to look after the community, this time the community looked after us.”

While none of these things will bring back the three officers it is a starting place for the healing process. In time all wounds heal, we hear that again and again, but where wounds heal a scab takes its place and eventually a scar forms— a constant reminder of the past and what has been lost. Some wounds can never truly go away, but still we move on.

Moncton, our thoughts and prayers continue.