Efforts to honour those who bravely serve and protect have finally been made official.

Vernon residents created a committee in 2019 to honour the 100th anniversary of the RCMP in Canada on Feb. 1, 2020.

The local committee has since been marking the first day of February as RCMP Appreciation Day.

“We are in our third year of requesting the yearly proclamation from the B.C. government in Victoria,” committee chairperson Guy Bailey said.

The process of application takes time and the committee finally received this year’s approved proclamation just days prior to Feb. 1.

Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming offered gratitude to all the members and staff of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Detachment for their selfless dedication to duty and service in our region.

“Thank you for your steadfast commitment to public safety. We know this commitment often means putting yourselves in harm’s way to protect others. We have seen you do this time and again, in some of the most difficult circumstances. Thank you for this sacrifice to help keep the rest of us safe each and every day,” Cumming said.

RCMP Appreciation Day is an opportunity to recognize, to show appreciation for and to celebrate the history and the role of the RCMP in British Columbia, according to the proclamation.

And efforts will not fade locally.

“Our committee is determined to continue this yearly day of respect and appreciation to the men and women of the RCMP serving and having served,” said Bailey, who will putting his truck in the Vernon Winter Carnival parade Feb. 5 with banners celebrating the work RCMP do.

READ MORE: Province proclaims RCMP Appreciation Day in B.C.

READ MORE: RCMP appreciation day campaign continues in Vernon

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