PRESS RELEASE
SIR SAM STEELE COMMITTEE
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Sir Sam Steele is a Canadian icon.
He helped establish the fledgling North-West Mounted Police and became the quintessential Mountie, who is remembered for his heroic work in maintaining law and order during the Klondike gold rush.
He also commanded Lord Strathcona’s Horse during the Boer War and served in the First World War. For his heroism, King Edward VII awarded him a medal at Buckingham Palace.
Before all that, he grew up in Oro-Medonte, went to school in Orillia and always thought of this part of his expanding world as home.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Steele’s death; he died on Jan. 30, 1919 in England.
“Our past is the pathways to the future,” said Jacqueline Soczka, the city’s manager of culture. “Keeping alive the memories of those like Sir Sam Steele help us to create a sense of place.”
That is a sentiment shared by Orillia’s Gerry McMillan, an RCMP chaplain who, as a kid, wanted to become a member of the RCMP to follow in Steele’s footsteps.
“He is my hero,” said McMillan. “It’s important that we don’t forget what he did for this country and to remember his roots here in Orillia.”
McMillan and Soczka have been working alongside many others to ensure Steele is not forgotten.
On June 23, which Mayor Steve Clarke has proclaimed Sam Steele Day in Orillia, Steele’s legacy will be honoured in a community celebration.
Things will kick off with a 10 a.m. church service at St. James’ Anglican Church, where a young Sam Steele was baptized.
That day, the worship service will be similar to what Steele might have experienced as a youngster, featuring hymns and readings from that time.
Retired OPP officer and Steele enthusiast Mike Beresford, dressed as Steele, will speak about the life of the famous lawman.
After the service - which will be attended by uniformed members of the Royal Canadian Legion, RCMP, OPP, Grey and Simcoe Foresters, CFB Borden, the Orillia Fire Department and local Air Cadets, Navy Cadets and Boy Scouts - McMillan will lay a wreath in memory of Steele.
Following the service, as the church bells ring, officials, guests and others will parade from the church to the Legion for a reception.
The building named in his honour, now home to the Orillia Museum of Art & History, will be open and will have Steele artifacts and tours available.
All are welcome.
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