Alec has been gone for over thirty years but he left a lifelong impression on me. He lied about his age and joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at the age of 16 in 1921. By 1922 he was dispatched to a remote Yukon station where he became the law for thousands of square miles. He was given basic provisions, a sled, sled dogs, a 30/30 rifle and the instruction to travel north on a frozen river for two days until he rounded a large bend in the river. After the bend would be several huts. The third hut was his station. He was required to do patrols of the area that would take three months to complete. He was involved in the tracking of the "Mad Trapper". Incredible stories that put Jack London to shame. I know we talk a fair bit about the Greatest Generation but those that proceeded them weren't to shabby. I can't imagine doing what he did.
I'm not sure why Alec is on my mind tonight but I hoisted a glass of rye in his honour.
