Barrie Roundel and Park renamed in honour of: 1) memory of slain OPP officer Greg Pierzchala, and 2) Roundel in Barrie’s Military Heritage Park renamed in honour of Major-General Richard Rohmer
1) Barrie Park renamed in honour of: memory of slain OPP officer Greg Pierzchala
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, September 14, 2024
A picture of Greg Pierzchala rests up against a platform during a park renaming ceremony on Sept. 14, 2024. (Image – Barrie 360)
The warm words for Greg Pierzchala matched the warmth of the mid-September sun that blazed down on dozens of people who gathered to rename a Barrie park in memory of the slain Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer.
Pierzchala , 28, was a member of the Haldimand OPP detachment when he was shot and killed Dec. 27, 2022 while responding to a report of an overturned vehicle in a ditch near Hagersville.
A man and a woman are charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting.
Hours before he was killed, Pierzchala learned he had passed his 10-month probation period having been with the OPP for just over a year.
A memorial was unveiled at the ceremony on Saturday morning as Batteaux Park on Mapleton Avenue was renamed in memory of the officer who attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School, across the street from where the dedication took place.
In words spoken about Pierzchala, family, colleagues and friends kept coming back to his motto of challenging oneself to be better.
“Growing up, he was my hero,” said his brother, Michal. “He used to do things for me and set an example. I think that’s what he’s done for other people as well.”
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said Pierzchala exemplified the values of the Ontario Provincial Police.
“Our value of serving with pride, professionalism, and honour. He reminds us all that living a life of purpose and doing so passionately has a positive impact on everybody around us. We need to be grateful for the time we’ve been given and to make the most of that time to ensure we are fulfilling our responsibilities and carrying on the work that Greg started and we need to finish on his behalf.”
A new fitness circuit has been installed at the park, inspired by the Ontario Police College fitness test.
“I’ll be here often,” Pierzchala’s brother, Michal, remarked. “Anyone looking to train to get into the Ontario Provincial Police, this kind of equipment is perfect for that.”
Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall echoed those words and reflected on Pierzchala’s determination to always be better.
“Keeping fit, and keeping well both physically and mentally, and it’s a beautiful way to honour him.”
2) Roundel in Barrie’s Military Heritage Park renamed in honour of Major-General Richard Rohmer
Roundel in Barrie’s Military Heritage Park renamed in honour of Major-General Richard Rohmer
Courtesy Barrie360
The roundel in Barrie’s Military Heritage Park was renamed in honour of Major-General Richard Rohmer on Monday, someone Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall described as a hero both in and out of the service.
General Rohmer, who turned 100 years of age in January, was led into the ceremony by a bagpiper as a crowd of dignitaries from the mayor, city councillors, representatives from Base Borden, local veterans, and other guests gathered near the waterfront park to witness the unveiling of a plaque honouring Canada’s most decorated veteran in military history.
He holds numerous honours, such as membership in both the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Commander of the Order of Military Merit, and served as Honourary Adviser to the Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Rohmer was a WWII fighter reconnaissance pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force who climbed through the ranks.
This latest honour was accepted with humility but there was still the soldier in him.
“I guess I am humble in some respects, but not in others,” Rohmer quipped, chatting with Barrie 360 after the ceremony. “It’s a mixture of being humble, but to be a general you have to stick your nose out and be hard from time to time. I am very soft-hearted though because I love people.”
Rohmer took part in the Battle of Normandy and D-Day overseas, and joined the war effort in 1942 at age 18.
“I couldn’t stay home,” when asked why he signed up with the military. “We were in the middle of the war and I decided that if I was going to be of any value, I could join the air force where I wanted to be because I wanted to fly.”
The former Collingwood resident who now resides in Toronto said to be a good person in uniform you had to be first committed to your country.
The commitment has never been lost on Rohmer, despite the challenges Canada has faced and that he has witnessed.
“The world is a very scary place at the moment, said Rohmer, referencing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and instability in Europe and the Middle East. “We in Canada live on an island of peace and quiet fundamentally. We should be very grateful for living in Canada. The reality is, it’s a very safe place and lived by the law, and it’s a wonderful country to be in.”