Patrick Armstrong and Heather Pham are getting ready to take part in a 100 kilometre walk this weekend, which will raise money to buy defibrillators to donate in honour of Ontario’s fallen soldiers, paramedics, police officers, and firefighters.
“I personally believe that it is our duty as the living to tell the stories of those that have gone before,” said Armstrong.
Armstrong started the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund in honour of his beloved friend and fellow OPP officer Dave Mounsey, who was killed in the line of duty in 2006.
To date, 207 defibrillators have been donated by the Mounsey Fund to be placed in arenas, churches, community centres, and businesses across Ontario.
One such defibrillator was recently donated to the North Huron Fire Department in honour of OPP Const. Vu Pham, killed in the line of duty in March 2010. Vu’s son Jordan is a volunteer firefighter for the department.
“It’s just so helpful for the family members to know that they’re not alone, and that the sacrifice will always be remembered. Their loved ones will always be remembered,” said Heather Pham, Vu’s wife.
Heather Pham and two of her sons will be one of 20 families walking with Armstrong and members of the Mounsey Fund across Perth County this weekend.
Their other son Josh Pham won’t be there. He’ll be on shift with the Parry Sound OPP, following in his late father’s footsteps, starting in the same detachment 30 years after his father did.
“Josh has been for a long time talking about joining the OPP. So, I knew that it was coming. I’m not going to say that it was easy to see him drive off for his first shift, but as a parent, I want to support and honor his goals and dreams, despite my own anxieties,” said Heather.
Along with Pham, fallen emergency responders like Captain Graham Emslie of the Sarnia Fire Service, who died in the line of duty in 2016, will be honoured during the 100 km walk.
Members of North Perth Deputy District Fire Chief Ken Rea’s family will take part.
Rea died in the line of duty in Listowel in 2011. Master Corporal Anthony Klumpenhouwer will also be remembered. The Perth County native died in Afghanistan in 2007.
“We have the honour, not only of donating defibrillators out to the public, but to remember these fallen heroes and their families,” said Armstrong.
“My family and I participate in the 100 Kilometre In a Day every year. And we will do so for as long as the fund continues to remember the sacrifice of our fallen first responders. In doing so, they create time and space to keep their memory alive. And not just for the family members, but for the community as a whole,” said Heather Pham.
You can learn more and donate to buy more defibrillators, by following this link.
You can follow their progress over the weekend, by following Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund on Facebook.