“We know many of you are away from your families, but you are not alone.”
Those were among the encouraging words one local family sent in a Christmas letter to Burnaby Mounties working over the holidays in 2003.
Twenty years later, the detachment still brings the letter out every year along with a tiny Christmas tree that came with it.
The small artificial tree is decorated with lights and little police vehicles and sits on the counter of the records department.
“Year after year, this tree helps brighten up the detachment over the holidays,” Chief Supt. Graham de la Gorgendiere says. “It’s become an annual tradition for many of our staff members to pause and read the card every year. It’s amazing to see how this act of kindness has endured and become a meaningful holiday tradition.”
The tree and letter were a gift from the Tatelman family.
In the note, Cheryl Tatelman tells local officers that she and her 10-year-old son had shopped throughout the year for “as many little cars and police trucks and boats” as they could find.
Her grandson had then helped her put them in the tree with lights and other decorations.
“Hopefully this little tree will bring a smile to all of your faces,” states the letter. “There are no words to really thank you for doing each day what most of us may face once in our lives. Facing the dark side of humanity in every possible way.”
“We pray for each of you, hoping you will be able to leave it behind, freeing your mind, body and spirit on time off.”
This year, on the 20th anniversary of the Tatelman family’s gifts, Burnaby RCMP invited Cheryl back to the detachment.
“It was great to be able to thank Cheryl in person and let her know how much this tree and card has meant to us,” says Cpl. Kalinda Link, who arrived at the detachment the same year as the tree and is now with Burnaby RCMP community programs and victim services.
Burnaby Mounties have no plans to retire the tree any time soon, according to Link.
“We look forward to carrying on the tradition of this little tree for years to come,” she says.
After 20 years, the tree, if it were a Mountie would be eligible for a 20-year RCMP long service medal, based on the force’s system of honours.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
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