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Lessons in Diplomacy: Former US Ambassador’s Passing Reminds Us of the Value of Good Relationships

By Mike Sale

I was very sorry to learn of the death of Paul Cellucci, a former United States Ambassador to Canada.

His death, at 65, came far too soon, but the quality of his life and the impact he had on me and, I believe, many Canadians, was longstanding.  A dozen years have almost passed since I saw him last, yet I often pause to reflect on the importance of productive international relations and the capacity for diplomats to influence and reinforce networks of cooperation and understanding.

I also find it somewhat coincidental that I am currently working for American Military University, encouraging Canadians to consider an online education with one of America’s most dynamic learning institutions which includes an exceptional Master’s program in International Relations among its most popular offerings.  Just last year, a senior colleague in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) completed his AMU Masters in International Relations, preparing him, I am certain, for future opportunities within Canada’s international diplomatic corps.

But I digress.

I never met Ambassador Cellucci, but I saw him speak, during one of America’s darkest moments, back in 2001.  At the time, I was an inspector with the Toronto Police Service, serving as chairman for the 108th annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.  As most IACP members know, one of the highlights of any annual conference is Host Chief’s Night and the program arranged for 2001, at Toronto’s SkyDome (now Rogers Centre) turned out to be one of the most memorable of all.  The production was intended to celebrate Canada’s policing traditions and pageantry with performances by the famed Musical Ride of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and massed bands of renowned police and military units.  The event had been rehearsed and practised over and over again, but an unfortunate gaff in the grand opening turned into the most magnificent moment of all.  More than three hundred red-coated musicians had formed on the field at the end of the first act and they were to have marched off so that the United States Ambassador could speak to the crowd of 10,000 delegates, of which more than 95% were American. Someone failed to give the order to evacuate the musicians, leaving them to stand at attention while the ambassador mounted a small riser to begin his remarks.

One must remember this was a mere seven weeks after the attacks of September 11th and Paul Cellucci had only been in Canada since the previous April.  More than 18,000 delegates had been expected for the IACP conference, but the final attendance fell to 14,300 as most US federal law enforcement delegates were required to cancel their trips to Toronto as they were committed to the new war on terrorism.   The most recent threat received by the White House had been identified that very afternoon, prompting some IACP officials to consider cancelling “Host Chief’s Night”, but a decision was made to proceed as planned.

And then Ambassador Cellucci spoke.

For me, as a conference host and as a Canadian, this was a remarkable moment.  Here was the new US Ambassador to Canada, in Toronto, speaking to an assembly of nearly 10,000 Americans about what it was like to be in Canada on September 11th and to be a witness and participant in the Canadian response to that awful day and the many that followed.  The image of Paul Cellucci, with three hundred colourful musicians standing behind him, is one I will never forget.  His eloquent reassurance, his passion for his role serving the United States in Canada and the quiet focus of the audience was spellbinding.  For many in the crowd, this was their first visit to Canada and for them to hear the compelling words of their ambassador were not only insightful, but inspiring. 

I remember thinking, for many years afterward, that the United States could never replace Paul Cellucci, because he was the best of his kind.  It turns I was mistaken.  The US continues to send exceptional people to serve as ambassadors to Canada, but that’s a story for another time.

May Paul Cellucci rest in peace and may his family draw strength from knowing his contribution to our world continues to be appreciated. 

 

Leischen Kranick is a Managing Editor at AMU Edge. She has 15 years of experience writing articles and producing podcasts on topics relevant to law enforcement, fire services, emergency management, private security, and national security.

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