A young man well armed had shot and killed 3 police officers, two more were wounded and rushed to the hospital and my city had gone into lock down. "Stay in your homes, close your blinds, lock your doors" messages said across social media sites from the RCMP. T.V's went on to follow live coverage, radios were listened to were a t.v wasn't available, and every citizen in this city listened and waited.
I could hear helicopters flying over my home, sirens and police surrounded everywhere in our location. Business shut and locked their doors, buses and taxes were pulled from the road, Schools were closed as the RCMP continued to search, ( For the record I haven't mentioned the shooters name because I refuse to take part in giving the shooter any more fame then hes already been given) Moncton held its breath and prayed.
I can't say what was going through this young man's mind as he aimed and shot. I can't speak on behalf of the hatred that must have been consuming him, or what caused him to reach such a point. What I do know is that after the valiant efforts of the RCMP, when this young man was captured two days later, the citizens of Moncton took their first peaceful breath.
I've lived in Moncton most of my life, its my home. I've watched the city grow, the buildings change, I've watched over the years as we lost, or so I thought, some of our east coast town charm and grew into a larger more thriving city. After having a child 6 years ago I actually thought of leaving this city, thinking we had become more of the seed among the thorns then the seed planted in good soil.
6"Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7"Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. 8"Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great." As He said these things, He would call out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."…
Luke 8: 6-8
Yet as the city returned to normal we began to do something that changed my mind. We express our joy as a community, we grieved as a community, and we expressed our thanks as a community. Flowers, cards, candles lined the street of the police station as our city gave its thanks and expressed its sympathy. As the RCMP hunted for this man hundreds of off duty policemen and woman from surrounding provinces came to help in the search. Stores changed their signs in their windows from the days deals to love and thanks to our RCMP and all the first responders. Instead of allowing this lone gun man to destroy our safety, our home, we united and came out stronger, more bonded to each other.
On Tuesday Moncton will hold a service for the fallen RCMP officers who gave their life in the line of duty. Officers from all over my fantastic country will come to mourn this loss and celebrate these brave men lives. The service is held in our coliseum which seats 6554 and is open to the public, today is Sunday and they are already issuing out notices that seating will be limited. That many people will be there to honor these brave men.
Today my son and I went to lay flowers down on the front step of the police station with our own thank you and as we turned around to leave my son saw a police officer. He rushed him and said "thank you for saving my city from the bad guy, you are my hero"
From the mouth of babes.
My city during lock down, not a soul in sight
No comments:
Post a Comment