THE TRADITIONS LIBRARY
Wear Red
Some traditions bring people together in celebration. Others help us stand together in grief.
Wear Red invites people to wear a red item of clothing on the day of a fallen RCMP member’s regimental funeral. Whether attending the service or participating from far away, each person becomes part of a wider expression of remembrance and support.
The gesture is simple. Its message is that the fallen member is remembered, their family is held in our hearts, and those who serve do not stand alone.
Shared by:
Krysta Erickson and Deborah Viel, RCMP spouses and co-creators
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CATEGORY
Remembrance
FREQUENCY
As Needed
AGES
All Ages
COST
Free
The Story Behind It
Wear Red began in June 2014, following the deaths of Constables Dave Ross, Fabrice Georges Gevaudan, and Douglas James Larche in Moncton, New Brunswick. Two other RCMP members were wounded.
Living in Arviat, Nunavut, RCMP spouses Krysta Erickson and Deborah Viel could not travel to New Brunswick for the regimental funeral. They wanted a way to honour the members and stand beside their families, even from thousands of kilometres away.
Together, they invited people to wear red on June 10, the day of the Regimental Funerals. Red reflected the scarlet tunics worn by RCMP members, extending that familiar sea of red into homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.
The invitation travelled across Canada and beyond. People who could not attend could still take part, offering a visible reminder that distance did not diminish their support.
Wear Red continued for later fallen members, including Constable David Wynn in January 2015. As the campaigns grew, fellow RCMP spouses Amy Whynot and Regan Alford also helped coordinate and run them.
What began as a response to one devastating loss became a recurring gesture of remembrance within the RCMP community as continues to this day.
What You'll Need
• A red item of clothing or an accessory you already own.
• The confirmed funeral date and official memorial information.
• A quiet intention to honour the fallen member and support those grieving.
Participation can be as simple as getting dressed that morning and carrying that intention through the day.
Make It Your Own
Invite your family, school, workplace, team, or community to participate together. You might observe a moment of silence, share the official memorial announcement, or take a respectful group photograph if appropriate.
People who prefer to participate privately can simply wear red. Public posting is not necessary for the gesture to matter.
Where a police service, family, or community requests blue to honour a fallen municipal police officer, follow that invitation.
Keep any adaptation centred on the person being remembered and the wishes of their family. The colour is a visible gesture; the care behind it is what gives the tradition meaning.
How It’s Done
We wear red on the day of a fallen RCMP member’s regimental funeral.
Before sharing an invitation, confirm the date and memorial details through the police service’s official announcements. Explain who is being remembered and invite others to participate wherever they are.
A red shirt, sweater, scarf, or another item already at home is enough. There is no requirement to attend a gathering, make a purchase, or share a photograph.
For those participating with children, a simple explanation may be enough: “We’re wearing red to remember someone who died and to show their family that we care.”
The purpose is remembrance, solidarity, and support.