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Fort Saskatchewan RCMP hosting traditional Sunset Retreat Ceremony

On Aug. 22, the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP, along with the city, will be hosting a Sunset Retreat Ceremony at the Fort Heritage Precinct starting at 5 p.m.

August 20, 2018  By Staff


According to the local paper, the free public event will feature RCMP members marching in red serve, a cannon display, mounted riders and a ceremonial lowering of the Canadian flag.

“The ceremony dates back to the 17th century and was referred to as a military tattoo, which is from the Dutch phrase of ‘turn off the tap,’” the article reports. “When the sun goes down, a lone drummer was sent into the streets of the town to beat out a tattoo, which signalled to tavern owners to close down for the night and for the military to return. Flags were lowered in a ceremony to mark the end of the day.”

The RCMP in Regina continue this tradition once a week during the summer but Insp. Mike McCauley, the Officer in Charge of the Fort Detachment, said to his knowledge this will be the first time the ceremony has been held in the Fort.

For the original news story, click here.

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