Hi,

Today the annual Terry Fox run is being held and we should pause for a moment and remember Cpl Gibson who was killed in 2003 near Suffield while escorting runners for this great cause.

Even thought the anniversary of his death isn't not until Sep 26 we should still pause to remember how easy it would have been for one of us to fall victim to the same circumstances. Case in point: 1 MP PL tasking in 1989 to escort 1 Svc Bn runners from Edmonton to Calgary on Hwy 2, the runner's goal was to raise money for the Alberta's Childrens Hospital.

I have included the link to Cpl Gibson from the Officer Down website [www.odmp.org]

Regards,

R.J. (Bob) Smith

Thanks Bob all too often those that fall in a similiar manner are forgotten.

I remember Stephen twice a week all year long. Once when I go to Calgary to work and again once I come home from work. I look over at the cross and remember the day I drove by the accident scene where his life was lost needlessly. I also remember him every time I see a Yanke transport truck.

L. Marcel Dupras

Hi Marcel,

Was the Yanke driver charged as a result of this accident?

Regards,

Bob

The driver was fired from Yanke.

L. Marcel Dupras



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/2009 05:30AM by L.Marcel Dupras.

I don't know if the driver was charged but I strongly believe so. I heard that the driver was looking for something at floor level of the truck just before the accident.

L. Marcel Dupras

I forgot to say, every time I drive by I wave at the cross and say rest in peace. Other driver that see me wave probably think I am losing it but it is my seconds of respect every week.

L. Marcel Dupras

At about 1400 hrs, Tuesday September 29th, 2009, I was travelling home on Trans Canada highway and had just passed the town of Suffield. As I always do, I was thinking about Stephen and was getting ready to wave at the cross and say “Rest in peace buddy”.

A song on the radio got my attention and I turned my head towards the radio and was going to miss the cross for the first time in all my travels. As I was looking at the radio I saw a flash of light in my left eye, it was a reflection of the sun coming from Stephen’s cross. I almost missed him but he remembered me, it’s almost like he acknowledged me with a wink to say thanks for remembering me, I’m ok.

Rest in Peace buddy.

L. Marcel Dupras

I attached pictures of the cross

Hi Marcel,

Thanks for the photos.

From the photos it looks like the sign and marker post need some "TLC". One would hope that CFB Suffield puts this memorial on a scheduled maintenance program.

Lest we Forget.

Regards,

Bob Smith

I also would like to say Thank You,for the photos. Was glad to see that something was placed at the site.
I also noted some care could be taken to beautify the memorial which is very nice. It would be a shame to see it deteriorate. Maybe some sanding and paint next spring.
Again Thank You for the photos.
Please give a salute for us All, next time passing by.

Jack Schleihauf
1896

Glad you appreciated the pictures.

I will give him a salute for all when I go to work in the morning.

SECURITAS

L. Marcel Dupras

I agree...it needs sprucing up. I will engage the Br CWO and see if we can have our folks at Suffield look after the maintenance.

Hey Myke,

If funding is a problem, I am willing to put up the first $100.00 every year.

I drove by yesterday and gave Stephen my salute for all.

I am now sitting in Salt Lake City, Utah (again) waiting for a load. Man, is this recession almost over?

Take care,

L. Marcel Dupras

Mike it is not sprucing up that is needed. The substrate is damaged by rust and that will require maintenance every year to keep it looking A1. There are two things that can be done to keep it looking A1 and less costly in the long run.

1. The cross can be removed and taken to paint shop that can sand or shot blast to cross to a near white finish. The a proper primer can be applied with a color coat on top and clear to keep it A1. You can also find a Powder coater to apply a polyester coating. This should give you a longer time without need for maintenance.

2, Have a new cross made with aluminum rather that with steel have it properly prepare and then painted with PPG Durocron. Will last at least 20 years if not longer. This is the same paint as is on skyscrapers. There are people in Alberta that do this type of work. Just need to find one. All my contacts are in Montreal.

These people have long production runs and it would be nothing for them to hand the cross on the conveyor during one of these runs. There would be little or no cost for the paint just for the new cross in aluminum.

I would think that the folks in Suffield are very much aware of the memorial and will look after it.

I dont know if there are any regulations precluding this, as I am assuming the cross is erected on Alberta Provincial Property because of the highway...but it would probably be a good idea to erect a stone cairn and have the plaque mounted on that, which would substantially reduce the maintenance requirements. In any event, I will raise the matter to the Branch CWO and ensure that something is in place to ensure the maintainence of the memorial

Great Myke.

I didn't want to start anything with the pictures, I just wanted the ones that have never seen it to see it.

Apparently since 25 Oct 2004, there is a Memorial Cairn at CFB Suffield for those who died on duty. See: 3w's.memorialribbon.com/english/gallery2004.htm#9


The location of the cross is on the North side of Trans Canada Highway, approximately one kilometre West of the CHAT-TV tower near Bowell, Alberta. (East of the town of Suffield).

L. Marcel Dupras

Still waiting for a load in Salt Lake City.

Hi Marcel,

There was nothing wrong with displaying the pictures. This issue needed awareness before the memorial site becomes an eyesore. Lest we forget!!

Regards,

Bob Smith

Hi all,

Not sure if there's been any further development on this front. I'm just runnign across this now. I would be more than happy to donate any $ needed for improvements. Thank you so much for posting the pictures and keeping an eye out.

Lise Dionne

bob legare Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mike it is not sprucing up that is needed. The
> substrate is damaged by rust and that will require
> maintenance every year to keep it looking A1.
> There are two things that can be done to keep it
> looking A1 and less costly in the long run.
>
> 1. The cross can be removed and taken to paint
> shop that can sand or shot blast to cross to a
> near white finish. The a proper primer can be
> applied with a color coat on top and clear to keep
> it A1. You can also find a Powder coater to apply
> a polyester coating. This should give you a longer
> time without need for maintenance.
>
> 2, Have a new cross made with aluminum rather that
> with steel have it properly prepare and then
> painted with PPG Durocron. Will last at least 20
> years if not longer. This is the same paint as is
> on skyscrapers. There are people in Alberta that
> do this type of work. Just need to find one. All
> my contacts are in Montreal.
>
> These people have long production runs and it
> would be nothing for them to hand the cross on the
> conveyor during one of these runs. There would be
> little or no cost for the paint just for the new
> cross in aluminum.

Hi all,

Not sure if there's been any further development on this front. I'm just runnign across this now. I would be more than happy to donate any $ needed for improvements. Thank you so much for posting the pictures and keeping an eye out.

Lise Dionne

bob legare Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mike it is not sprucing up that is needed. The
> substrate is damaged by rust and that will require
> maintenance every year to keep it looking A1.
> There are two things that can be done to keep it
> looking A1 and less costly in the long run.
>
> 1. The cross can be removed and taken to paint
> shop that can sand or shot blast to cross to a
> near white finish. The a proper primer can be
> applied with a color coat on top and clear to keep
> it A1. You can also find a Powder coater to apply
> a polyester coating. This should give you a longer
> time without need for maintenance.
>
> 2, Have a new cross made with aluminum rather that
> with steel have it properly prepare and then
> painted with PPG Durocron. Will last at least 20
> years if not longer. This is the same paint as is
> on skyscrapers. There are people in Alberta that
> do this type of work. Just need to find one. All
> my contacts are in Montreal.
>
> These people have long production runs and it
> would be nothing for them to hand the cross on the
> conveyor during one of these runs. There would be
> little or no cost for the paint just for the new
> cross in aluminum.