Celebrating Citizenship Week in the South Okanagan

Oliver

2024-05-15 14:05 PDT

During Citizenship Week, a special event happened in Oliver, BC. Anke Galardo became a Canadian citizen, and to celebrate, Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth, Oliver RCMP Detachment Commander, put on his red serge to celebrate and take a photo with her.

Ms. Galardo shared her journey to becoming a Canadian. She remembered a special day in 2017 when she and her mother watched a Citizenship Ceremony in Penticton. "One day, I will see you on that stage when you become a Canadian Citizen, Anke’s mother said.

Due to COVID-19, all citizenship ceremonies are now held online, making this in-person celebration with Sgt. Wrigglesworth very special. "This is a huge milestone in my life, and I am proud to be a Canadian now. I am very grateful to Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth for taking pictures with me for this important event. My mom will be very happy to receive this picture," said Anke

"I have taken part in many Citizenship ceremonies where nearly 100 new Canadians from close to 50 countries celebrate their new life, explained Sgt. Wrigglesworth. It was an honor and very eye-opening to see how proud and happy these people were. It made me realize how lucky we are to be born in this country.

"To celebrate Citizenship Week, I was happy to wear my uniform for this important memory for Ms. Galardo, said Sgt. Wrigglesworth She told me that her mother still has a picture with me from 2017 when she attended that ceremony in Penticton."

This event showed the importance of becoming a Canadian citizen and the strong connections which can be made during these special moments.

Congratulations to Anke Galardo on becoming a Canadian citizen, and thank you to Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth for celebrating the pride of being a Canadian.

Sgt. Don Wriggesworth in red serge, standing next to new Canadian citizen, Anke Galardo, in Oliver, British Columbia.