Skip to main content

In my shoe-shine box there is a tin of Kiwi Parade Gloss shoe polish.

Polish

I pop the lid off from time to time and swirl up polish on a piece of flannel blanket, often prior to weddings and funerals.

Parade gloss is special. It imparts a glossy shine to shoes and boots, appropriate for momentous occasions.

Yesterday I wheeled around the corner to see many pairs of glossed parade boots, empty of owners, complete with spurs, standing at attention. 2015-01-26 10.33.27

The North Pointe Community Church foyer filled with men and women in Red Serge unblocking their Stetsons from hat boards, loosening what must be metres of bootlaces, and making final preparations for the parade. Some were peeling off street clothes, pulling on dress uniforms, and buttoning red jackets.

There were puddles of clothes on the floor. Unholstered Smith and Wesson autos, cleared, actions open, sit on the tables waiting for transfer to the brown leather gun holsters. Several members were bent over, carefully lacing their boots.

Red Serge

I walked by three men from three different decades. They were already fully dressed in Red Serge. All were lacing up the foundation of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police uniform—riding boots.

I stopped, pausing to look at them. They raised their heads and eyes in unison. I wanted to say something profound to express my appreciation to each one of them, for the RCMP Members who put their lives on the line every day. For me, and you.

As I considered what to say, thoughts of Constable David Wynn rushed in, breathless. RCMP David Wynn funeral

RCMP On Duty

I considered what we asked him to do that night.

I thought about how life sometimes turns sharply in an instant.

I thought about his three boys, his loving wife, and his extended family.

I thought about his colleagues.

I look at these policemen preparing for parade, and I feel my face twist and my throat tighten.

All I can say is,

“Thank, you.”

This is a guest post from Tim Fowler. You can follow Tim at Scribbles and Snaps where he posts pictures and stories. You can also follow him on Twitter at @Timothydfowler

Please leave a comment below. Thank you.

Hope grows here.  You’ll find stories that inspire, build faith, and offer lasting purpose.

We’d love to have you Subscribe to REVwords.  Helpful content will arrive in your inbox early Mondays to get your week off to a thoughtful start.

Bob Jones

Happily married to Jocelyn for 44 years. We have two adult sons, Cory and his wife Lynsey and their son Vincent and daughter Jayda; Jean Marc and his wife Angie and their three daughters, Quinn, Lena and Annora. I love inspiring people through communicating, blogging, and coaching. I enjoy writing, running, and reading. I'm a fan of the Double E, Bruins, Celtics, Red Sox and Pats. Follow me on Twitter @bobjones49ers

4 Comments

  • A hundred thank you’s to our first responders for daily intervention on our behalf. Red Serge makes me proud to be Canadian, proud to be Albertan and proud to call St. Albert home.

  • bob jones says:

    Thank you for sharing your experience and your sentiments, Tim. There will be a lot of “amens” to your comments.

  • oilers76 says:

    Thank you for expressing the very sentiments so many of us feel. You have a way with words Tim. Blessings.

  • CD Mayo says:

    Thank you for writing this, Tim. It is exactly how I would have felt also. I had he privilege of watching our seven year old son walk up to a military man in our local Arby’s a few years ago. He asked me if it was okay to shake his hand and say thank you for serving our country. I nearly started crying and said yes through my welled up tears.

    For all those who serve us, you are truly our gift and we truly appreciate your service, and sadly, your sacrifice.

    Amen!

Leave a Reply