Forewards by The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean and RCMP Deputy Commisioner Steve Graham
Michaëlle Jean
I always warn those who travel to Haiti for the first time that what they are about to experience will remain with them for the rest of their lives. You cannot return from Haiti untouched. You cannot hide in indifference. The country leaves its imprint on you forever and makes you see what is essential in life.
This is what Sergeant Mark Gallagher would have told you. As soon as he set foot in my country of birth in 2009, he understood that he would forever have a bond with this land and its population - Haiti, a nation of such hardships and contrasts, is also one of great value, qualities and beauty.
Mark Gallagher already realized that every action we take can make a difference, change lives, or even change the course of history. In Haiti, he was able to take in the full measure of this. During his official police training mission, he seized every opportunity to cultivate friendship and solidarity.
Certainly, Sergeant Gallagher always went beyond the call of duty and the strict confines of his job description. Consider, for example, that on his last trip to Haiti he brought with him shoes for two little girls from an orphanage in Port-au-Prince. In addition to being a touching anecdote, this shows a sincere concern and a willingness to get involved personally. He wanted to improve the fate of these children, just like he wanted to put all his skills to use for the advancement of safety and justice in this country.
It was while fulfilling this heartfelt desire to help those in need that he was buried beneath the ruins of a building during the earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010 - the very day of his return to Haiti after spending the Christmas holidays with his loved ones in New Brunswick.
His family and friends will tell you about his sense of duty, but they will also speak of his spirit... his generosity... his respect for others... his contagious optimism... and his strong belief in the fact that nothing is ever lost and that people who are willing and creative can accomplish great things.
I pay tribute to this exceptional man whose strong will and exemplary merit continue to inspire other Canadians to move heaven and earth to make sure that life triumphs over the misfortune and ordeals encountered in Haiti. A school to be built in his memory will give hundreds of children a reason to dream and to hope, as well as the knowledge and tools to grow, to build a bright future for themselves and to strengthen that of their community.
Thank you, Mark Gallagher.
Michaëlle Jean
Governor General of Canada and Commander
in Chief of Canada (2005-2010)
UNESCO Special Envoy to Haiti
(Translated from the original French)
Steve Graham
"The smallest gestures can make all the difference."
- Mark Gallagher
I had the pleasure of working with Mark Gallagher as his Commanding Officer in both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In his role as a Media Relations Officer, Mark was familiar to many as the face of the RCMP in both provinces. His gregarious attitude and outgoing personality made him a favorite to reporters, who sought him out for comments on a wide range of events and issues. In front of the cameras, his warmth and professionalism as a police officer were reassuring, even when he was called upon to deliver bad news.
On the evening of January 14, 2010, I found myself in the same position Mark had so often been in, addressing reporters at an impromptu media briefing. I was there to deliver the message that our worst fears about Mark had been confirmed. Though we had all been hoping for a miracle, praying that he was simply doing what he did best - helping others amidst the chaos after the earthquake in Haiti - we learned that our friend and colleague had not survived.
Police officers are not comfortable with being called heroes. Most will tell you that the personal sacrifices they make and the danger they put themselves in are just part of the job. Mark was in Haiti doing his job, trying to make life better in a country where, for many citizens, turmoil and tragedy had sadly become a way of life. To many of the people he encountered there, as the stories in this book will attest, Mark Gallagher was a hero.
The quote at the beginning of this foreword epitomizes the way Mark lived his life every day. In the pages to follow, Warren and Rosemarie capture just a small number of stories illustrating the ongoing impact Mark's actions have had on those he went out of his way to help in whatever small way he could. Mark inspired change in ways he could not possibly know, and his legacy is thatthe small gestures he made continue to pay dividends. Even now, he is continuing to change lives by inspiring people to make those gestures, and to take the small steps that can make a crucial difference in a person's life. This approach to living cannot help but create a ripple effect. Mark is still changing the world, one life at a time, and will be for many years to come.
Steve Graham
Deputy Commissioner East
Royal Canadian Mounted Police