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LETTER: Having family close on Remembrance Day means much to Langley Mountie

RCMP officer Cpl. Craig van Herk was especially moved to have his family at Fort Langley’s services.
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Cpl. Craig van Herk had a picture taken with his daughter following the Fort Langley Remembrance Day ceremony. Given the shooting death of his friend and fellow police officer earlier in the week, it was especially meaningful for van Herk to have his family there with him, even if he was working. (Roxanne Hooper/Langley Advance)

Dear Editor,

Looking at a picture of himself and his daughter at Saturday’s Remembrance Day ceremonies in Fort Langley, Langley RCMP Cpl. Craig van Herk shared the following:

It’s always nice to see so many young families out at the service, paying their respects.

I remember growing up in Saskatchewan, the son of a Mountie, and going with my parents and sisters and standing in the frigid Prairie cold.

Then, when we were a bit older, we had the pleasure of spending a few years in Ottawa.

As parents, my wife and I followed suit and whenever I wasn’t working I was marching, we brought our kids.

Now that our kids are older, and they have a choice, they continue to choose to attend.

So today, when they chose to attend the ceremony that I was working at… it was special.

The events of this week [the shooting death of friend and fellow Abbotsford Const. John Davidson] have had profound affects on “us” as first responders, but they have also had a significant impact on our families… so to have mine [my family] close by on a special day of remembrance of the sacrifice of others was truly awesome.

Thanks again for the picture that sparked some memories.

We really appreciate it!

Cpl. Craig van Herk, Langley RCMP