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WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Motorists heading north on Hwy. 9 near Lower Fort Garry Wednesday had the fortunate opportunity to see a bit of the RCMP history on display at their safety roadside CheckStop. Some of the officers were wearing period uniforms and there was a display of modes of transportation used by the RCMP over the years like snowmobiles, a dog sled, and an old police cruiser. Staff Sgt. Glen Reitlo is dressed for the -16C afternoon wearing a buffalo coat issued in 1953. Earlier Wednesday, Justice Minister Heather Stefanson announced Feb.1 will be the first annual Royal Canadian Mounted Police Day in Manitoba to recognize the many contributions of RCMP officers. To honour the RCMP, the minister invited young people throughout the province to draw, design or create a card and mail it to the province by May 31. The cards will be displayed at the Legislative Building and then formally presented to the RCMP later this year. The RCMP were formally established by an act of parliament on Feb. 1, 1920, merging the North-West Mounted Police and Dominion Police of Eastern Canada. ¤ see mb. gov’t release Feb.1 2017