Ottawa, Sunday, September 9, 2012

It is a great honour to be here for the dedication of this memorial.

Today, we gather to pay tribute to Canada’s fallen firefighters, who lost their lives while serving our communities and our country with incredible resolve and bravery.

We are also here to offer our support and gratitude to the families of the fallen—and indeed to thank all firefighters for answering the call to service.

It is difficult for many of us to truly comprehend what it is to fight fire. Most people will never know what it’s like to approach, enter and climb a set of stairs in a burning building. Few of us will ever be called upon to stand firm before a raging, unpredictable forest fire, or to make quick decisions that can mean the difference between life and death.

Fire is an elemental force and, like other forces of nature, it can be our friend or our foe. From childhood, we learn that fire demands constant vigilance.

But when vigilance fails or disaster strikes, we call upon our firefighters.

Each of the individuals being remembered at this memorial died in the line of duty. In doing so, they showed extraordinary courage and dedication to others. That their actions were often directed towards complete strangers makes their sacrifice even more humbling and inspiring.

These fallen firefighters represent an ideal of service and selflessness that is very rare and very precious.   

As we pause to remember, let us also recall that they were more than just firefighters. Each lived a life of their own, filled with families and friends, and with goals and aspirations. 

As we stand before this monument today, it is almost as if they speak to us, saying:

“We had names.”

The families, friends and colleagues of the fallen know the full extent of the loss we have suffered with the passing of these brave individuals. It is for the rest of us to remember their sacrifices.

My hope is that all Canadians will visit this memorial, take the time to read the names inscribed here, and reflect upon their service to others.

It is fitting that we dedicate this memorial here, at LeBreton Flats in Ottawa. More than a century ago, in the spring of 1900, a great fire broke out just across the river in Hull, killing seven people and destroying thousands of buildings. Not far from the exact spot where we stand, the fire was stopped and prevented from spreading downtown.

If we go back a little further in time, we also learn that this site is close to the place where Captain John Lowry of the Ottawa Fire Department was killed in the line of duty. He died fighting a blaze on Booth Street, on August 12, 1896.

These two stories from our past remind us that, at one time or another, in communities right across Canada, fire has taken a toll. And sometimes, as in the case of our fallen firefighters, that toll is very high.

As governor general, and as a Canadian, I want to thank all firefighters for their service to our country, past and present.

In fact, seeing you here today, I am reminded of the story of “the wrong-way guy,” which is based on a photo that I saw during a visit to Saskatchewan last year. The photo depicted an emergency situation at a school. Students and teachers were streaming out of the building, but one figure—a police officer, whom I like to call “the wrong-way guy”—was going against the tide, heading with purpose towards the danger.

That is what firefighters do on a regular basis—head into danger. And we are all much safer and better off for their willingness to go “the wrong way.”

In closing, I also want to thank those who worked so hard to make this memorial a reality, and who continue to help and support the families of those firefighters who gave their lives.

Let us remember the fallen, always. 

Thank you.