Danielle Gallant kneels next to the wreaths that were laid for her late father, Mike, during his memorial at the Miscouche Fire Department on Saturday.
It was a day to honour and pay tribute to a fallen hero.
Saturday marked the one-year anniversary of Miscouche Fire Department’s Capt. Mike Gallant dying in the line of duty. Mike was in a single-vehicle collision on his way back to work after responding to a motor-vehicle accident.
The memorial took place at the fire hall, and his family, friends, colleagues, representatives from fellow fire departments, and members of the community were all there to show their respect.
Mike’s wife, Linda, said 16, the number he proudly wore on his uniform, will be a constant melancholic reminder of her husband.
“They’re retiring number 16,” she said. “It will be a number that will always mean a lot to our family.”
During the commemorative ceremony, a cabinet was unveiled that houses Mike’s well-worn uniform, and his family and multiple organizations each took a turn laying a wreath with white lily flowers in his name.
“Mike would be truly humbled and honoured. He really would,” said Linda.
“It’s amazing the support that has been shown to our family.”
She added the firefighters have shown nothing but compassion and generosity, and Chief Jason Woodbury has gone above and beyond the past year.
“Mike was a proud firefighter, and he was proud helping to start the junior fire department.”
Their 14-year-old daughter, Danielle, is currently the chief of the junior firefighters.
“Mike was very proud and wanted her to be a firefighter and to be involved in the community,” said Linda.
“He was community-minded,” she recalled. “He really enjoyed being part of the community and anything he could do to help he was always there.”
Woodbury said Mike lost his life serving Miscouche and the province.
“It shocked our community, and our firefighting community provincially and nationally.”
Woodbury added his colleague and friend joined the department in 2008, and all of his dedication and hard work will never be forgotten.
Pauline Gallant can’t thank the fire department enough for everything they did with the memorial for her son.
“I know Mike loved the fire department. He would be at home visiting and then say, ‘Well, I got to leave; I have a meeting at the fire hall’. He was very proud of the wonderful volunteer group,” she said.
Pauline was overwhelmed with everyone’s support and love for Mike.
“I have one daughter and one son, and he’s gone now. He left us with so many memories.
“Knowing everything he did for the community makes it better, and that will never go away.”
