Red Friday

[Auburn Annie]

Hundreds gather in T.O. for 'Red Friday' rally
CTV.ca News Staff

Hundreds of people gathered at Yonge-Dundas Square over the noon-hour Friday in a rally of support for Canadian troops in Afghanistan.

The gathering was a sea of red, as participants were asked to wear that specific colour.

Those who attended included families of soldiers currently serving in the war-torn country, as well as wounded troops who have returned from their tours of duty.

As the event was being held, news broke that another Canadian solder was killed Friday after stepping on a booby trap in southern Afghanistan.

Parents of fallen soldiers also attended the 'Red Friday' rally and delivered speeches.

The parents of Orillia's Mike McTeague, who was wounded in a suicide bomb strike that killed four Canadian soldiers on Sept. 18, also spoke.

His father, Sean, told CTV's Austin Delaney his son is still in the intensive care unit at Sunnybrook Hospital and is not well enough to watch the event on the television.

But Sean was excited to be a part of the rally.

"I'd just like to see a great turnout. Our members of the Canadian Armed Forces are part of our community, they serve us, just like the police, fire department, paramedics, doctors and nurses," he said.

"So it's an opportunity just to come out again to (praise) another special group of people who make Canada look good, and to come out and be proud, and say 'thank you.'"

Capt. Wayne Johnston said the troops are risking their lives and need to be supported.

"It makes me proud to be a Canadian, that people step up to the plate and show the soldiers that they're behind them, that they're behind the young men and women who are sacrificing their lives and their families every day," he said.

"I'm here today because I want peace in this country, and I want to make sure that it stays that way," another supporter said.

Ties, baseball hats and Roots shirts were some of the red articles of clothing worn at the rally, and supporters waved Canadian flags.

Mayor David Miller told the crowd they ought to feel proud for Canada's troops. Artist Gordon Lightfoot also spoke.

In all, 37 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have died on the mission to Afghanistan since 2002.

More than half of the deaths occurred this summer, when insurgent violence escalated dramatically.

With a report from CTV's Austin Delaney

[Glenmark]

It would have been nice to know what he said. Thanks for posting this Annie.

[charlene]

Geeze the Mayor made it! He was double booked and said he couldn't...
lol
The Toronto Sun has a full page flag with "Support the Troops" on it...

CTV has on-line coverage-just a mention of Gord...no footage of him tho.
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20060929/red_friday_rally_060929/20060929?hub=TorontoHome

go to VIDEO on right side - Austin Delaney clip

Just saw him on the news - he was wearing a red sweater with black shirt under it, and black pants...he spoke about Canadians showing support for the troops. He said "we just have to stay there , we're not going to immediately be withdrawn as far as I can tell. they need our support." "we could probably be in deeper than we are but at least we are in there and we are doing our part."
A father of a soldier who died a few weeks ago was shaking hands with people in the crowd and it looked like Gord was waiting his turn to shake his hand and speak with him. There was also a shot of him on the stage with others singing Oh Canada.
It was not a pro-war rally - it was a rally to show our support for the troops.

[ September 29, 2006, 17:23: Message edited by: charlene ]

[Cathy]

Was this on CBC? If so, do you hink it will be repeated on the late news?

[charlene]

I'll be checking CBC at 11...If it was on the 6 o'clock news it will be on at 11.
I have the CTV, CITY tv and Global clips recorded.
I would certainly hope the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. was there..they are just 5 minutes down Yonge St. on Front by the CN Tower....and it's our national broadcaster so they better have been there....

[Cathy]

Cool. I'll watch for it. I think CBC news is on at 10 here.

[charlene]

Originally posted by Cathy:
Cool. I'll watch for it. I think CBC news is on at 10 here. http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_4000.aspx

mention of Gord here and video of him also.

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_4000.aspx

[charlene]

http://www.torontosun.com/News/Columnists/Warmington_Joe/2006/09/30/1923949.html

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/9249/rallylightfootwi6.jpg

[ September 30, 2006, 02:35: Message edited by: charlene ]

[BILLW]

WOW - our man gets around, eh? Nice photo, thanks for posting. Refreshing point of view straight from the horse's mouth.

Bill :)

[Jesse Joe]

He sure does Bill, very nice Charlene. You live in the nicest part of Canada, for a Gordon Lightfoot fan, to be. It's where the action is. If I was closer to Massey Hall, I too, would definitely have seen him more in concert.

I was checking his tour dates, late last night on the Wayne Francis site.


http://www.lightfoot.ca/tour.htm


Just unbeleivable, the number of times, he's played Massey. :)

[ September 30, 2006, 09:20: Message edited by: Jesse -Joe ]

[DellroyGM]

Many thanks for posting this great stuff!
Utterly GREAT to see such a show of unity. Not to mention seeing our hero in the midst of it!
Almost makes me wanna move to Canada! ;D

-Gary

[DJ in MJ]

Originally posted by charlene:
The Toronto Sun has a full page flag with "Support the Troops" on it...Here it is. I cropped the photo to just show the flag and words.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/zsfzsfzsf/torsuncover1.jpg

[charlene]

Originally posted by DellroyGM:
Many thanks for posting this great stuff!
Utterly GREAT to see such a show of unity. Not to mention seeing our hero in the midst of it!
Almost makes me wanna move to Canada! ;D

-Gary It was quite moving to see and I only wish it had been held on a weekend day so more could attend. I'd have been down there for sure...all the more poignant knowing that 3 Canadian soldiers were being buried that afternoon and another died in Afghanistan...The 3 (plus one other) being buried were killed by a suicide/murderer bomber on a bike while they were handing out candies and supplies to children.....

[RM]

Lightfoot's presence at such an event is even more reason to admire him as a person. The song that most readily comes to mind is "Drink Yer Glasses Empty".
The troops are simply following orders, and must be supported.

[Peter Bro10]

I'm rather new to corfid and I'm having a great time checking out alot of previous postings.
This one caught my eye. I'd like to take this opportunity to echo Gary's comments. While I'm not quite ready to leave the States just yet (ha ha), I have the utmost respect for my Canadian brothers and sisters!
Funny thing though. My favorite musicians are Canadian, Gord, Rush (the Rock band).... I just figure its someting in the water.
Thanks to all.

Originally posted by David (djb):
quote:Originally posted by charlene:
The Toronto Sun has a full page flag with "Support the Troops" on it...Here it is. I cropped the photo to just show the flag and words.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/zsfzsfzsf/torsuncover1.jpg [/QUOTE]

[charlene]

see footage of the rally at MYSPACE:

Gord welcomes you...

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=114505932&MyToken=810a2517-9144-4c50-8782-368ae90a04ee

or

www.myspace.com/canadarally (http://www.myspace.com/canadarally)

[Jesse Joe]

http://decor-27.slide.com/item/Hkm6aaRWZVdi_Fmup4-lNEGw5eTyTLhNM8wRJhBqgVansb1rKvMQwIxEL6PrfC5kj8d7V Jhvfd5fhFIPWUTzRBqSpP23wvPSE08Z/WSBN2HQCnMaIHUTM9tHi7EGbaKIGE5OHXPq0TELIm_DCQRshqB YTQrV8XQC_cAziiQXfbQjidKzcX2mx0A/item
code:<pre style="font-size:x-small; font-family: monospace;">Thanks Charlene,
It's great to view the support,
but kind of sad to see
what's happening in the world.
~Jesse~</pre>[/QUOTE]

[charlene]

http://hespeler.blogspot.com/2006/09/pictures-from-rally.html

website for fallen Canadian soldier...more pics from rally and a lovely one of Gord...

[Peter Bro10]

Thanks Char....
good to see such a display of patriotism, etc.

[Paul Farnham]

Thanks to everyone who posted links to this wonderful event. If it were not for our Canadian friends here, I would not have been aware of this rally (big surprise: the media down here didn't cover it at all. Rather unconsciable given that the Canadian troops are over there basically for our benefit). Thanks again.

[charlene]

here's the pics:
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/723/rally20078jz9.jpg

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5148/rally20083im9.jpg

[Auburn Annie]

I love in the top picture (in the crowd) how oblivious the folks around him are to the fact that Gord Lightfoot is standing next to them.

[charlene]

Originally posted by Auburn Annie:
I love in the top picture (in the crowd) how oblivious the folks around him are to the fact that Gord Lightfoot is standing next to them. I can bet you dollars to doughnuts that most people had no idea who he was until he walked onstage and was introduced...just another Torontonian/Canadian out showing support for the troops....
;)

[Borderstone]

It's alays great to see that Gordon still gets out there. :) At least he's not some reclusive rock star w/ an ego as big Jupiter! :rolleyes:

Not only is it great that he supports the people sacrificing their lives,it shows that just because one has been around a long time,that doesn't mean you're opinion doesn't matter.

I can't even imagine the idea of a pro-war rally. :confused:
A rally where people "do" want & love the idea of different countries sending youmg men & women off to kill each-other?

Maybe in the early 20th century but not today. Godon certainly wouldn't hae anything to do with something like that.

I can only quote Alan Alda As Hawkeye on MASH:

"I can't understand why anyone would want to willingly go to a war."
"Would go with enthusiasm" and want to be there while it's happening?"

"It's crazy". :(

[charlene]

Just to clarify - the rally was to support the troops...not to support the war.
Regardless of feelings about the war we can show our troops that we support them in their beliefs...

[TheWatchman]

Originally posted by Borderstone/Hawkeye:

"I can't understand why anyone would want to willingly go to a war."
"Would go with enthusiasm" and want to be there while it's happening?"

"It's crazy". :( If it wasn't for people with crazy thinking like that, ol' Hawkeye would be wearing a turbin on his coconut. :)

[Peter Bro10]

It is a regretable reality that in this world today, as has happened in the past, there exist an evil that must be stopped.

Those troops who put it all on the line in defense of out freedoms and way of life deserve out "support". Indeed, they earned it.

Kudos to Gord for showing up and being "one of us". not the "reclusive rock star" type.

[Borderstone]

The people who go to war voluntarily,I know have the best of intentions but a lot of the young men/women I saw at the Army office in Nov. 2002,looked like they had no idea they could actually be in a war.

I was trying to join too but I didn't think for 1 minute there'd be any wars again. I can only imagine how many of them did not return.

I can give credit,I suppose to the late Pat Tillaman of the Cardinals football team here,for giving it all up to go fight. ....but i guess I'll just never understand how one can "volunteer" for such a thing.

I support them in the sense that I hope as many can come home alive as possible. I just can't support war,I hate the whole idea of it and it's sad that in this day and age the world hasn't found better ways to deal with each-other!

The soldiers aren't thinking crazy Watchman,they're ultimatley left with no choice but to fight anyway.

[RM]

Originally posted by Borderstone:


I can give credit,I suppose to the late Pat Tillaman of the Cardinals football team here,for giving it all up to go fight. ....but i guess I'll just never understand how one can "volunteer" for such a thing.
Borderstone,

Surely you would "volunteer" to engage in combat if your freedom to listen to Lightfoot was at stake. Paraphrasing Kristofferson : "Freedom is worth something, and it ain't free".

[Borderstone]

RMD,I could never shoot at another human being,for any reason. If they got me,well,that's all there is too it then. :(

The militaryt couldn't have taken me anyway,I have cataracts.

[RM]

B'Stone,

I would be a horrible warrior, most likely running away while the rest of the platoon asks "Where's Meason ?, he has the map". It's just a matter of threshold, and everyone has their own.

[Borderstone]

Picture Lou Costello (thinner) in the squad practice scene in "Buck Privates".

That'd be me! :rolleyes:

"Get your chest out,throw out your chest!"

"I'm not through with it yet!!" :D

[charlene]

Tom Cochrane-supports troops. says Lightfoot a great Canadian.
http://www.torontosun.com/News/Canada/2006/11/01/2197045-sun.html

Wed, November 1, 2006

Life is still a highway for Canadian rocker Tom Cochrane; a highway that has taken him all the way to Afghanistan to support our troops
By JOE WARMINGTON

The highway has taken him a lot of amazing places in this mad world but Tom Cochrane says he's never very far from our soldiers in Afghanistan.

"A lot of people care about them deeply," the Canadian rock legend said he has noticed from travelling coast to coast.

Now more than ever, he said, is the time to show it.

"We have to be pro troops," he said yesterday. "I support the guys and gals."

In fact his backing of the Canadian troops is as solid as has been his career. Tears form in his eyes as the singer of such hits as Life is a Highway speaks of the valour our Canadian soldiers are showing in Afghanistan.

"I have seen their faces," he said. "Courage is a very quiet thing."

The seven-time Juno winner saw lots of courage when he visited them in 2004. "They are so brave but they don't talk about it."

THINK OF OTHERS

They just serve and think about everybody else.

"I remember one officer coming up to me and saying, 'Mr. Cochrane we'd love you to join us for a BBQ,' " he said.

He thought he was there to bring them a little piece of home but all they could think about was making him feel at home.

Cochrane, 53, quickly understood finding a way to boost their morale was as important there as was their equipment.

A Tim Hortons coffee can take them home for a few minutes and so can a burger. With Cochrane fellow musicians Kevin Fox and Damnhait Doyle brought along their guitars with that in mind. Perhaps some music would lift the mood.

But when they got to the gathering, they found they were singing next to a memorial to two soldiers killed in action -- Sgt. Robert Short and Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger.

REALITY OF WAR

It was a grim look at the reality of war. These people do die.

And the death hasn't stopped. In fact just as Cochrane was stepping foot back in Canada Cpl. Jamie Brendan Murphy was killed. "I will never forget it," said Cochrane of the experience. "There were a lot of tears rolling down cheeks."

This is why he paid tribute to these soldiers on his new album for Universal called No Stranger. The song Rough and Tumble is for all of them.

In it he sings "think about Brendan Murphy, how his dreams might have made him full, bet he didn't think it all might end on some dusty road near Kabul, kids like him they give me strength, get me outside my pride, least of all I forget about how, we all get scared sometimes."

It's a chilling song because it's so real.

Cochrane was around town promoting his CD when I accidentally bumped into him in the lobby of the Pantages Hotel. "I lost my poppy," he said, looking for another.

His dad, Tuck, was a World War II veteran and Tom always wears one at this time of year. But he remembers every day. I handed him mine. Proudly. Cochrane, who was born in Lynn Lake, Man. and grew up in Acton and Etobicoke, has been a great Canadian ambassador for a long time.

He tried to get to our Red Rally Friday to support the troops at Dundas Square Sept. 29 but was out of town. "I really wanted to be there and was so pleased that Gordon Lightfoot was. He's such a great Canadian."

Like Lightfoot, Cochrane is unwavering in his support for the men and women wearing our uniform. "Our troops are hanging in there for us -- and are connected to the Afghan civilians," said Cochrane. "We have a proud tradition of peacekeeping and helping. They are doing that."

But there is a price and 40 men and women have died in this mission. "It's a scary thing," he said. "You don't know when somebody's going to come at you (with an explosive)."

POLITICS

Cochrane understands the politics. "But we don't want to make it any harder for them," he said of why he doesn't join in with political war protests.

The soldiers' safety is what's paramount to him. Cochrane, who has a line in that tribute song which says, "count me in don't count me out," is of the same mindset I am. Once you are in, you are in all the way.

War is all about morale and the last thing you want to do is give morale to the enemy. "They are tough people," he said of the Taliban. "It's difficult to fight people who are prepared to die."

But that's what Canadians are faced with. And that's why Cochrane and other great Canadians like Don Cherry and Lightfoot have expressed their appreciation.

"I have always been impressed by their integrity and dignity," said Cochrane of the troops. "I just want them to come home safe."

[Gitchigumee]

War isn't the answer. They've been fighting for centuries over religious difference, and us going to war isn't going to change that. There is no right or wrong side to the issue any longer--just the means by which each side is trying to accomplish their goal. Obviously, there are evil people and evil leaders in the world. But where you may defeat one, another two will emerge. What makes me mad is the leaders in the USA who push for war for their own political reasons, thereby sacrificing innocent lives of young men and women who are brave enough to enlist.

[brink-]

"I lost my poppy," he said, looking for another.

His dad, Tuck, was a World War II veteran and Tom always wears one at this time of year. But he remembers every day.


We used to have poppy's here in the US too. I remember them as a kid, I don't remember when they quit "selling" them. It was always a donation, never asking for money. That is too bad we have stopped that practice. Might be a good time to restart it.

[charlene]

We started wearing poppies last week up here and most people will wear them for the whole month of November...not just Nov.11.

I wear mine with a small Canadian Flag in the centre....those pins hurt!

With Remembrance Day falling on a Saturday this year and so many of our armed forces overseas I'm sure there will be huge turnouts at all events held at Legions, churches, cenotaphs etc.

Schools will have veterans come and speak to the students during the services held the week before Nov.11.

Students go to the seniors homes and hospitals that have veterans.

Young cadets will march alongside veterans as they head to local cenotaphs for ceremonies.
These events are always very moving when you look around at those few who are left that made our freedoms possible, as they stand with the youth of our country who have learned of their sacrifices and friends who never came home.

[ November 01, 2006, 20:31: Message edited by: charlene ]

[johnfowles]

I did not know that poppies were no longer exchanged for donations in the States
Certainly Gord was wearing one on Thursday 11 November 1999 at Massey
http://johnfowles.org.uk/LIGHTFOOT/5.jpg
and in the UK a minute of silence reigns at the 11th hour
of the 11th day of the 11th month

[charlene]

The Poppy and The Royal Canadian Legion:

http://www.legion.ca/asp/docs/rempoppy/allabout_e.asp

the above link from a very informative site:

http://www.legion.ca/asp/docs/home/home_e.asp

We have a veterans parade, speeches, two minute silence and ceremonies from Ottawa are televised across the country.

The same activities happen in cities and small towns across the country. Traffic stops where possible and most people stop walking as well.

For the week prior to the 11th veterans and young cadets will stand outside mall entrances, street corners etc. and off er poppies. They are not 'sold'..a donation is requested. It is a good time to thank the veteran with a salute, handshake or even a hug.

It's quite something to watch a young teen walk up to a vet with his medals proudly displayed on his uniform, shake his hand and say thank you.
The smile of gratitude says it all....they know they haven't been forgotten...

[charlene]

TT - the link I provided has a history of The Poppy.

Canada has 3 remaining vets from WW1...two live in Toronto at Sunnybrook Hospital which is home to many of our veterans.
WWI vet, 105, still singing
By BRIAN GRAY, TORONTO SUN
Veteran Dwight Wilson has a song in his heart when he's asked about the Great War.

One of only three living Canadian World War I vets, the 105-year-old lives in Sunnybrook hospital's Kilgour Wing, where he sometimes entertains staff and fellow residents with a song or two by the piano.

"I love to sing and I love the people who hear me sing," Wilson said in hushed tones before belting out the 1940s Broadway tune If I Loved You -- his favourite song.

Wilson's son said his father just felt he was doing his duty in 1915 when he enlisted at the age of 15.

"He didn't talk about it too much but he was proud of what he did for the country," Paul Wilson, 72, said.

One of his childhood memories is a German artillery shell that was used as a doorstop in his family's Queen St. and Coxwell Ave. home.

It turned out to be live, and Canadian munitions experts had to come and retrieve it, he said.

A long-time hockey lover and a fan of the Detroit Tigers, Wilson isn't right up to date on today's events.

But he's happy to be living with fellow WWI veteran Lloyd Clemett, who is 106.

"I like the atmosphere," Wilson said.

And Paul Wilson said his dad is doing very well for someone of his age -- even better since he moved into Sunnybrook in June.

Canada's other living WWI vet, 106-year-old John Babcock, lives in Spokane, Wash.

[ November 02, 2006, 13:52: Message edited by: charlene ]

[Gitchigumee]

Originally posted by charlene:

Canada has 3 remaining vets from WW2... Charlene, I think you meant to say WW1??

[johnfowles]

All his talk of veterans got me thinking, because hardly a month goes by without at least one obituary in my emailed Daily Telegraph for yet another 80+ year old Battle Of Britain survivor who has hung up his wings and passed away
So I googled to try to find how many are still actually still living:-
from:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/825656.stm
a report
Battle of Britain survivors gather
dated Sunday, 9 July, 2000, 20:59 GMT 21:59 UK
"Of the 2,927 RAF and Allied airmen who fought in the battle, just 1,592 survived WWII. Those alive today number just a few hundred."
A bit later is a report dated Mon. Feb. 24 2003 on the Canadian site
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1046125339691_41534539/
announcing plans for a monument to the airmen, among them 99 Canadians, who flew in the battle. and which says
"Between July 10 and Oct. 31, 1940, 2,953 men fought in the Battle of Britain, a historic aerial conflict in which 544 airmen, including 22 Canadians, lost their lives. Fewer than 200 members of those air crews are still alive today."
So at a guess the Few are down to 150 by now
a recent report on the 12 July 2005 dinner for "the Last of the Few " only says 12 attended

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/491/20060713ubentleypriory3kw1.jpg
The Last of the Few celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the formation of Fighter Command
[Picture: Sgt Graham Spark]

I also found a spirited discussion on the merits or otherwise of Hollywood remakes of UK war films
see:-
http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/british-films-chat/4507-home-grown-battle-britian-vs-hollywoods-few.html
The final posting says
"We all know the Americans did their bit, but it was their bit and not ours. Why can't they just hear the story as it happened ?!

Can we remake the battle of Iwo Jima with Brits, French, Poles, Russians, etc ?"!!!
I also found

http://store.coolstamps.com/imagesrv/482/846994768.jpg
WWII Battle of Britain 2 Submarine Spitfire Interceptor Aircraft fly over a burning London in 1940 See the Hawk 75
The Home Guard Firemen in Combat Helmets - what a great sheet of 8 Mint Topical Postage Stamps

See them all at WWIIStamps.com
Cool stamps from yes you guessed it:- http://store.coolstamps.com/endeavor/product/18763.html
and this account of seances involving Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding, head of Fighter Command in the Battle of Britain, is quite fun too
http://www.harvestfields.ca/ebook/02/033/15.htm
John

[ November 02, 2006, 11:59: Message edited by: johnfowles ]

[Auburn Annie]

Maybe it's a local thing but our VFW still offer poppies here in Central New York, assembled by disabled vets. The name comes from the poem:

In Flander's Field
by John McCrae

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead.
Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw,
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us, who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.

[charlene]

Originally posted by Gitchigumee:
quote:Originally posted by charlene:

Canada has 3 remaining vets from WW2... Charlene, I think you meant to say WW1?? [/QUOTE]yep - you're right! - should be WW1 typo mistake... my uncle is a WW2 vet....

[charlene]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Auburn Annie:
Maybe it's a local thing but our VFW still offer poppies here in Central New York, assembled by disabled vets. The name comes from the poem:

In Flander's Field
by John McCrae
[Quote}

The link I posted to the Legion site has the history of the poem by Lt.Col.John McCrae - A Canadian in WW1.

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae

Lieutenant-Colonel McCrae was born on 30 November 1872 in Guelph, Ontario. At age 14, he joined the Highfield Cadet Corps and, three years later, enlisted in the Militia field battery. While attending the University of Toronto Medical School, he was a member of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.

With Britain declaring war on Germany on 4 August 1914, Canada’s involvement was automatic. John McCrae was among the first wave of Canadians who enlisted to serve and he was appointed as brigade surgeon to the First Brigade of the Canadian Forces Artillery.

In April 1915, John McCrae was stationed near Ypres, Belgium, the area traditionally called Flanders. It was there, during the Second Battle of Ypres, that some of the fiercest fighting of the First World War occurred. Working from a dressing station on the banks of the Yser Canal, dressing hundreds
of wounded soldiers from wave after wave of relentless enemy attack, he observed how “we are weary in body and wearier in mind. The general impression in my mind is of a nightmare.”

In May, 1915, on the day following the death of fellow soldier Lt Alexis Helmer of Ottawa, John McCrae wrote his now famous work, an expression of his anguish over the loss of his friend and a reflection of his surroundings – wild Poppies growing amid simple wooden crosses marking makeshift graves. These 15 lines, written in 20 minutes, captured an exact description of the sights and sounds of the area around him.

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae left Ypres with these memorable few lines scrawled on a scrap of paper. His words were a poem which started, “In Flanders fields the poppies blow…” Little did he know then that these 15 lines would become enshrined in the innermost thoughts and hearts of all soldiers who hear them. Through his words, the scarlet Poppy quickly became the symbol for soldiers who died in battle.

The poem was first published on 8 December 1915 in England, appearing in “Punch” magazine.


IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

John McCrae

His poem speaks of Flanders fields, but the subject is universal – the fear of the dead that they will be forgotten, that their death will have been in vain. Remembrance, as symbolized by the Poppy,
is our eternal answer which belies that fear.

Sadly, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae died of pneumonia at Wimereux, France on 28 January 1918. He was 44 years old.

[charlene]

Originally posted by charlene:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Auburn Annie:
Maybe it's a local thing but our VFW still offer poppies here in Central New York, assembled by disabled vets. The name comes from the poem:

In Flander's Field
by John McCrae
[Quote}

The link I posted to the Legion site has the history of the poem by Lt.Col.John McCrae - A Canadian in WW1.

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae

Lieutenant-Colonel McCrae was born on 30 November 1872 in Guelph, Ontario. At age 14, he joined the Highfield Cadet Corps and, three years later, enlisted in the Militia field battery. While attending the University of Toronto Medical School, he was a member of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.

With Britain declaring war on Germany on 4 August 1914, Canada’s involvement was automatic. John McCrae was among the first wave of Canadians who enlisted to serve and he was appointed as brigade surgeon to the First Brigade of the Canadian Forces Artillery.

In April 1915, John McCrae was stationed near Ypres, Belgium, the area traditionally called Flanders. It was there, during the Second Battle of Ypres, that some of the fiercest fighting of the First World War occurred. Working from a dressing station on the banks of the Yser Canal, dressing hundreds
of wounded soldiers from wave after wave of relentless enemy attack, he observed how “we are weary in body and wearier in mind. The general impression in my mind is of a nightmare.”

In May, 1915, on the day following the death of fellow soldier Lt Alexis Helmer of Ottawa, John McCrae wrote his now famous work, an expression of his anguish over the loss of his friend and a reflection of his surroundings – wild Poppies growing amid simple wooden crosses marking makeshift graves. These 15 lines, written in 20 minutes, captured an exact description of the sights and sounds of the area around him.

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae left Ypres with these memorable few lines scrawled on a scrap of paper. His words were a poem which started, “In Flanders fields the poppies blow…” Little did he know then that these 15 lines would become enshrined in the innermost thoughts and hearts of all soldiers who hear them. Through his words, the scarlet Poppy quickly became the symbol for soldiers who died in battle.

The poem was first published on 8 December 1915 in England, appearing in “Punch” magazine.

His poem speaks of Flanders fields, but the subject is universal – the fear of the dead that they will be forgotten, that their death will have been in vain. Remembrance, as symbolized by the Poppy,
is our eternal answer which belies that fear.

Sadly, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae died of pneumonia at Wimereux, France on 28 January 1918. He was 44 years old.

[Jesse Joe]

Regarding recent articles outlining the costs of providing our troops Tim Hortons coffee and donuts in Afghanistan:

I think Tim Hortons is doing a wonderful service to our troops by setting up shop in Kandahar, giving them a taste from home.

Although I don't believe in capitalizing on war, I do believe that Tim Hortons should break even on its operating costs.

And as a taxpayer, I can't think of too many better ways to spend my tax dollars than to show our troops support (even if I don't necessarily support this particular war).

And if Tim Hortons wanted to have a "support our troops" day by donating all coffee proceeds for that day toward the cost of providing coffee to our troops, I will gladly support that too (hey, Nov. 11 may be a good day, huh?).

What our troops (and their families) are sacrificing is phenomenal, and remember that their sacrifice allows us to enjoy driving through our local Tim Hortons on the way to our daily grind.

Michelle Shannon,

Moncton


http://www.canadaeast.com/tt/opinion/article.php?articleID=63284

[ November 05, 2006, 05:45: Message edited by: Jesse -Joe ]

[johnfowles]

Originally posted by timetraveler:
I wonder if anyone has ever bothered to try & set their stories down before they're all gone & that part of history becomes just so much mythology to future generations? Funny you should say that tt
The same thoughts went through my mind when, whilst researching for my posting I spotted this DVD that is now on my christmas wish list
http://www.amazon.com/Finest-Hour-Britain-Will-Lyman/dp/B0001L3MJ4/ref=pd_bxgy_d_img_a/002-8477776-2988845
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B0001L3MJ4.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V1083031040_.jpg
I had at the time just watched the wonderful MGM film of the Battle Of Britain
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00008PC0Y.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V1057247479_.jpg
and I immediately thought that this PBS/BBC documentary that I have never seen would make a fine companion
Two of the reviews are spot on your ideas!!:-

"Simply said, Finest Hour is one of the best documentaries on the Battle of Britain. Combining impeccable narration, personal accounts, and stunning footage--some previously unseen--it exceeds even PBS's typically high standards. It is both a collection of personal stories--interspersed with inspiring and often touching reports from men and women who were there--and a tale of the behind-the-scenes relationship between Churchill and Roosevelt."
and another

"The film uses survivors..."ordinary blokes" as one will call himself, to tell the story of young men and women, thrust into a war that they themselves thought might be the end of the world as they knew it."
amazon offer buy both together for $34.98
My BOB copy was a bargain in our local supermarket a couple of years back at $4.99

[Auburn Annie]

From the Toronto Sun:


November 7, 2006

Heeding the call to rally for our troops
By JOE WARMINGTON

I will be there.

At the Red Rally, Friday, in the beautiful city of Barrie, I mean.

I know hearing those four words meant so much when we were planning our Red Rally on Friday, Sept. 29.

There were people who simply said, "If it's for the troops, I will be there."

Chief Bill Blair was one. Police Association president Dave Wilson was another. They're not exactly pals, but there's something about the troops that unifies.

Mayor David Miller was there -- as was rival Jane Pitfield. They agree on little else.

Remembrance Day is Saturday. In Barrie this week it will also be on Friday. Every day is Remembrance Day while our troops are at war.

"They are a testimonial that democracy comes at a price and it is fitting that we pay tribute to them and support them in whatever way we can," OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino told me last night.

He is so right. With that in mind, Barrie, just minutes from CFB Borden, is hosting the Red Rally Friday at Memorial Square downtown.

It all started on Sept. 22 in Ottawa when Petawawa military wives Lisa Miller and Karen Boire with CFRA organized the first Friday Red Rally and challenged the rest of the country to follow suit. Toronto met the challenge, as did Calgary, Edmonton, Kitchener/Waterloo and lots of others. Towns like Holstein and Shelburne have started yellow ribbon campaigns and Orangeville dedicated a carving to the war heroes.

And now it's Barrie's turn.

'MASSIVE THING'

"So many people want to be involved," said Dave Carr, operations manager of Rock 95 and 107.5 KOOL FM. "It started small and has turned into this massive thing."

They are hoping the whole town will be out at noon Friday. "We want a sea of red and we are going to do a giant cheer to send over to the troops," he said.

They will see it. For our rally, the troops followed the coverage on both CFRB and AM640 -- beamed in through the Internet.

Barrie is still organizing their lineup, which will be hosted by radio personalities Deb James and Al Brown. So far I know Sean McTeague an -- OPP officer whose son Mike was injured in Afghanistan and is still recovering --will speak. Capt. Wayne Johnston also will be on hand, as will a whole host of speakers and entertainers. Those wanting to help can call 705-725-7304 or get more information on redfridays.ca.

These events make me so proud to be Canadian.

By the way, I received a lot of

e-mails about my Saturday column on Canadian celebrities becoming U.S. citizens, and want to say I have no major problem with it. They are not breaking any rules -- I was just pointing out the trend. But one thing that bugs me is a lot of these big name "Canadians" are pretty scarce here unless there are awards to collect. It would be nice to see a bunch of them show up in Barrie Friday, for example, just to say thank you to our troops.

CHASE OUR DREAMS

I mean, many have died to allow the rest of us to chase our dreams. Some of us do pretty well, too. Now this doesn't mean I don't like these stars and it doesn't mean I'm not a fan or proud of them. I am. Very much so. I just wish they would occasionally step out and do something without a pat on the back associated with it or a dollar bill.

Anybody else feel this way?

I learned a lot when we were organizing the Toronto rally. There were lots of invites to lots of names. Only one major celebrity made it. His name is Gordon Lightfoot. When the legend plays at Massey Hall later this month, I hope the crowd gives him a standing ovation for that as soon as he walks on stage. I mean a big one.

This guy, who has had his own health scare, knows about battling back. The troops saw him shivering in his red sweater, signing every autograph and showing just how great a Canadian he is. All Canadian. Some people have the Order of Canada. And some people deserve it.

Who knows, maybe some of the Canadian-Americans will show up in Barrie Friday. The troops are worth stepping out for. But with or without the famous, Barrie's rally will be a success and the men and women wearing our uniform in Afghanistan and other places will be impressed.

See you there.

[charlene]

LOL - Just finished reading this in the paper as I took a break while the kiddies napped!
lol

And I bet dollars to doughnuts that if Lightfoot weren't on the road that day he'd be in Barrie...

He may show up at the Ottawa ceremony at the Parliament bldgs.for Remembrance Day....

[johnfowles]

Talking of poppies,there is a very nice litle article in today's UK The Daily Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/core/i/branding400.gif
by their veteran correspondent,ex-editor (and ex golfing partner of Lady Thatcher's late husband Dennis,)Wiliam (Bill) Deedes. The article he has entitled
"In Afghan fields, the poppies blow"
and it is at:-
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2006/11/10/do1003.xml&DCMP=EMC-new_10112006

[Brannah]

I have a great video clip that I would like to add to this thread, is there any way I can post a video clip here? If not I can send it by email to whoever would like to see it.

[catmanron]

Fantastic to see the picture of Gord on Stage with the poppy.
Here in Oz we also wear the poppy and observe a min. silence at 11am on the 11th November, although we now have no living World War one veterans, it is still a very special time for us.

All the best.. Ron.

[Islandgirl]

About poppies in USA

I live on Long Island, NY, and not only on Veterans Day, but on Memorial Day too, the veterans are everywhere selling poppies. I
remember giving one to my niece,Jenna, when she was around 5 years old [now 13]and explaining to her what it meant [although I never knew there was a poem]. We were grocery shopping. She wore it proudly [as I did mine]and a few years later saw it hanging on her mirror in her bedroom. My grandfather, who fought in WWI, was the one who taught me about poppies.

[Islandgirl]

I meant giving away poppies and it's up to the person to make a donation or not.

[johnfowles]

Hang on a moment I thought Brannah asked a serious question above. Yes "yer tis"
Originally posted by Brannah:
I have a great video clip that I would like to add to this thread, is there any way I can post a video clip here? If not I can send it by email to whoever would like to see it. The straight answer is no. But you CAN register yourself and upload it to YouTube (http://youtube.com) then post the link here plus post a sample screenshot from your video, (If you can play it on your computer,simply pause at a suitable place and press your print screen key). This will then copy a screenshot of the complete monitor view to your clipboard and if you have for example Microsoft Word or any graphics/draw program you can then paste the screenshot into a new document or drawing, with Word you then save it as a web page which creates a web page file *.htm and a folder containing the graphics files one of which should be a jpg picture file which you can then upload to imageshack (http://www,imageshack.us).
But first please read my crash course at:-
http://www.corfid.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=004191
Tip
If you are playing your video in Windows Media Player and your screenshot comes out as a black rectangle go to tools&gt;options&gt;performance and
temporarily set the "video acceleration" to "None"
Note that this gives a screenshot of everthing you can see on your monitor
Alternatively I strongly recommend getting and learning the freeware version of Screenhunter (http://www.wisdom-soft.com/products/screenhunter.htm)
As with that lovely little utility you can capture any area you wish on the screen as a jpg format file
example here is a still picture from a quicktime (Mov) video file shot with my Nikon digital camera last Saturday morning showing some of the power of Niagara. a place quaintly shown on an AAA map as having a nearby airport called allegedly Buffalo- Niagra Airport
http://www.johnfowles.org.uk/images/niagara.jpg

[Yuri]

Letter to Editor Printed in today's Toronto Sun mentions Gordon Lightfoot.

(November 25,2006 under "Comments"

http://www.torontosun.com

Letters
By SUN READERS

OUR FALLEN HEROES

On Friday, Nov. 10, my family and I were at Queen's Park receiving a plaque honouring my brother's service in the military.

My brother, Trooper Mark Wilson, was killed on Oct. 7, west of Kandahar. He and the other soldiers killed in Afghanistan are all Canadian heroes, including Canadian diplomat, Glen Barry, who was killed in a suicide bombing incident in Kandahar city.

I am responding to the article that Joe Warmington wrote Nov. 18 ("Page Ten").

Of course, I approve of Gordon Lightfoot's support of our troops. I more than approve, I applaud him. I wish more people in the public spotlight would show their support.

I applaud Joe's Page Ten and the work he has done following the rallies of support and his insight into the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Note, I do not hesitate calling it a war, which our soldiers did not want. There is no such thing as apeace keeping bullet/rocket/land mine.

Losing my brother on Thanksgiving weekend has obviously altered lives forever. The work our troops are doing in Afghanistan is not getting the kudos deserved. Risking their lives everyday for a country that is down and out and doing it quietly, as Canadian soldiershave always done, shows the courage/bravery that these men and women possess. Mark would call home and I would tell him about what was going on in the news. The last conversation I had with him was on Sept. 27, I told him about the rallies that were held in Toronto and Ottawa. He was extremely happy about that. I could tell in his voice that that was just what they needed to hear over there. These rallies really boost the morale of the soldiers.

I could go on forever, this is my big brother I'm talking about.

I read the Toronto Sun daily and enjoy what Joe Warmington does, especially if it has anything to do with supporting our troops.From the bottom of my heart and my family,thanks Joe.

Thanks also to Gordon Lightfoot. Exceptional men like him deserve to be honoured as do the men and women who risk their lives everyday. I have just become Gordon Lightfoot's biggest fan. I'm off to the music store this afternoon.

Scott Wilson

Dorchester, Ont.

(Our sincere condolences and thanks for taking the time to remind our readers that Canadian troops can use as much support as possible)

**************************************************

Yuri

[Jesse Joe]

http://www.christmaswishmovie.com/

[Jesse Joe]

Published Tuesday January 30th, 2007
Appeared on page D7


What the war is all about

To The Editor:

The following is a letter we received from my son, Matthew, who is serving in Afghanistan and I think it will serve to let the public know what our Canadian soldiers are doing there:

Good Day all:

So far this tour I have received a few comments thrown my way expressing concern. I shall attempt to clear up any misconceptions anyone may have in regards to what I'm doing over here, and what my goals are.

First of all, Khandahar, Afghanistan is a war zone. During my first two tours here I was part of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force).

Our job was to secure the Capital of Afghanistan, Kabul. We did that. Our next job was to set up an interim government so that they could have an Afghan president and begin governing themselves. We did that.

This tour, however, is different from my previous tours in Afghanistan, or any other tour since the 1950s Korean conflict for that matter. There is an armed enemy in Khandahar. They are called the Taliban. In order to retake this country and give it back to the Afghan people we must take control of this area. It is the homeland of the Taliban and the lifeline to their existence.

That's why they are putting up such resistance. The end game is near. My specific job on this tour is to kill as many as we can before the battle group moves in and takes this piece of land back from the Taliban. I'm not here to win the hearts and minds of the local population. The innocent people have all left. They were given warning of our intent and anyone who stays will be considered enemy. And that's what we are doing. We are fighting against another enemy. Every Taliban we capture or kill had the opportunity to just leave, or throw down their weapons and surrender.

Instead they decided their own fate by taking up arms and fighting to the death. We are not an invading army like the Russians during the 10 year war. We are liberating this country from a terrorist organization and will hand it over to the people of Afghanistan when it is safe.

Unfortunately war is graphic, and as for head counts, they are needed to assess battle capabilities of the enemy. War can be messy, yet can be as involved as a game of chess, and either way war has been around since the beginning of time. Even the Holy Christian church had their crusades.

I've been on four previous tours where I handed out goats to starting farmers and driven around Bosnia with chickens loaded in the back for families just now returning home because it is safe to do so after 20 years, due to the efforts of myself and other soldiers before me.

I've stood side by side with my fellow solders holding back an angry mob stopping them from crossing a river to massacre a group of innocent Albanians.

I've even spent over a year driving around hostile countries dodging landmines restricted by rules of engagement that prohibited me from returning fire unless I was already hit.

I've given a small Afghan child my jacket because he was so cold his lips were turning blue. I've been spat on, and picked up flyers in Macedonia that read "Go home NATO baby killers". Despite all that we still continue on with our mission.

I've done my time as a peacekeeper, however this war is different, because that is what it is . . . war.

We are not out here murdering women and small children, these are not innocent farmers just trying to live in their own little part of the world. Those people have all left. Unfortunately war creates displaced people. The innocent must leave their homes. But they can return once our job is complete and believe it or not, they will be better off. Before we ever fired the first round in this area (Panjway) the Canadian Psychological Operations dropped leaflets over the whole area telling people to leave or they will be shot. We deal with village elders and set up timings for the locals to return to cultivate their crops. So it's not like we just said get out and don't come back. Everyone left except the Taliban.

They stayed to fight. These people live to kill Canadians and other coalition forces. The Taliban we kill today won't be able to plant that IED tomorrow that takes me out. I'm not here to murder innocent people, I'm here to fight alongside of my fellow soldiers to complete a mission that was set upon us by our government that was elected by the majority of each and every one of us.

I've seen how these Taliban run a country. I've driven past the National mosque where the Taliban executed 150 innocent civilians in order to instill fear and compliancy in the population so that they would think twice about breaking their rules. I've stood on the bridge where they hanged people who broke their rules, as trivial as they might sound. Let's just say you want to relax for a bit. You send the children out to go fly a kite while you kick back and listen to your favorite tune on the radio and throw on a bit of nail polish. It's a nice warm day and you doze off to sleep with the sound of your pet bird chirping away on the window sill.

Oh! Oh! Here comes Mister Taliban and all hell breaks loose. They start by pulling your fingernails out for wearing nail polish or jewelry, but don't worry, it won't hurt long. Soon you'll be hanged from a bridge for having a radio or a caged bird . . . Who will feed your children you ask? Not a problem they'll be swinging next to you for flying a kite.

That's the kind of people we fight and kill every day. For every life I take on the battlefield I'm creating a better life in the future.

I do not exaggerate my stories, nor will I make them sound any different that what they are. Graphic tales of the sights and sounds your fellow Canadians witness every day. If you think reading my stories makes it hard to fall asleep at night, try writing them.

Sorry folks, war just isn't PG-13.

I really don't see the big problem anyway since we have all seen actual footage of The Second World War. You think all those young men storming the beaches of Normandy got up and walked away when the filming was done? What's the difference between seeing documented footage of someone dying 50 years ago and hearing a story about what happened yesterday to my comrades?

If you want the truth . . . hold on because it will be a bumpy ride. It's going to get worse before it gets better.

There is word that the regiment may receive a battle honour for the battle of Panjway. Battle Honors are sewn onto our regimental flag , which is carried into battle and used as a rallying point after a battle. Since 1883 the Royal Canadian Dragoons have earned 25 Battle Honours. You can see that they are not handed out like candy at Christmas.

The actions of the troops during the battle of Panjway will do down in history. In 50 years from now what I will have written here will be no different than what you'd see on an A&E documentary about the Second World War today.

As for taking the life of a soldier trying to take mine, it's not the act of killing, it's more the satisfaction that I've done my job, and made the country safer for every son, daughter, mother, father serving their country here in Afghanistan. Because have no doubt. He was trying to kill them.

It's not a free for all over here. We have rules of engagement we must follow. I cannot discuss them but before anyone pulls the trigger, there are certain criteria that must be met.


Boudreau-West

(Via e-mail)

[ January 30, 2007, 08:01: Message edited by: Jesse-Joe ]

[Jesse Joe]

http://www.canadaeast.com/storyImages/CEExport132076_59683.jpg





Newly arrived members of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment pose beside a Canadian flag left behind on their bunker on Saturday, Feb.3, 2007. Left to right are Pte. Brad Eatman, Cpl. Steve Bungay, Pte. John Geue, Master Cpl. Mark Turcotte, Pte. Rob Cummer, Pte., Corey Balcom, Sgt. Dwayne Jackman and Cpl. Brian Hilson. The first wave of 1,160 troops from the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) and reserve units from around Atlantic Canada have begun pouring into the trenches, dugouts and fortified positions in the Panjwaii and Zhari districts of Afghanistan, west of Kandahar.


NBers reach battlefield

For Cpl. Alexander Darroch, the last six months of combat in southern Afghanistan have been "one big spin" in his mind.

It's been a mad kaleidoscope of firefights, seemingly endless stretches of boredom, rocket attacks, unbearable heat, patrols, sweat, food in plastic bags, infrequent showers and more patrols.

All that came to an end this weekend as members of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), based in Petawawa, Ont., were relieved by fresh troops from bases in Atlantic Canada.

"Good luck to these guys," said Darroch, who spoke reluctantly.

Hopefully they stay safe, know what I mean?" "The weather's starting to warm up again and hopefully they have a better go than we did.









http://www.canadaeast.com/storyImages/CEExport132076_59684.jpg


CP
A view of the bunker and trench system as fresh troops of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment from CFB Gagetown arrive on Saturday at Strong Point Centre, west of Kandahar.
Everything that Darroch didn't want to say was betrayed by the slight trembling of his hand.

The first wave of 1,160 troops from the CFB Gagetown-based 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) and reserve units from around Atlantic Canada have begun pouring into the trenches, dugouts and fortified positions in the Panjwaii and Zhari districts, west of Kandahar. They are replacing soldiers who have endured the bloodiest combat Canadians have seen in half a century - fighting that took the lives of 19 soldiers since August.

What they have lived through, witnessed and done has left an indelible mark on each one of them. Pte. Jacob Williams' family and friends have noticed it already.

"I'm told on leave that I look different, act different," said the Hamilton native, who seemed thin and tired.

"I can't explain it to you because I have no idea what they're talking about, (but) I'll give it to them. I've seen a lot of weird stuff. Some of the guys have done a lot of weird stuff. I'm sure it's changed us all - who knows what, for ... better or worse."




http://www.canadaeast.com/storyImages/CEExport132076_59685.jpg


CP
Sgt. David Horocuk, of 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment based at CFB Gagetown, takes a break Saturday at Strong Point Centre west of Kandahar, Afghanistan
The homecoming to the so-called real world, where some in Canada are skeptical of the need of their sacrifice, will be challenging.

As Col. Omer Lavoie toured strong points - fortified positions - this weekend along Route Summit, the road Canada is building outside Panjwaii, he was mindful of the wounds his men will carry home.

"I was asked at one point in time whether I have any scars," said Lavoie, who's seen his vehicle splayed with shrapnel.




http://www.canadaeast.com/storyImages/CEExport132076_59686.jpg


A Canadian soldier stands guard yesterday after a suicide attack on the outskirts of Kandahar. A suicide bomber in an explosives filled car attacked a NATO convoy. No NATO troops were injured in the blast.
"Sincerely, I've got 19 scars. I lost 19 soldiers across this tour. That's going to be part of me. That's going to be part of every soldier that leaves this tour because there isn't one soldier who hasn't lost a very close friend, a good buddy or a leader, myself included."

On Nov. 27, Lavoie lost his regimental sergeant major, Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard, to a suicide bomber attack.

"That moment is certainly scarred in me forever, but so is the life of every other of the soldiers I've lost in this theatre," he said.

[ February 05, 2007, 06:46: Message edited by: Jesse-Joe ]

[Jesse Joe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxUsC6vpaFU

[charlene]

wristband Gordon was given at the Red Rally in September can be seen in the photo from Nov.2006 Massey concert meet and greet.... https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/uu324/inspirationlady/Massey-11-06frmdisc1_098_1_.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/uu324/inspirationlady/Massey-11-06frmdisc1_098_1_.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

[charlene]

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/uu324/inspirationlady/rallylightfootwi6_1_.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/uu324/inspirationlady/rallylightfootwi6_1_.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/uu324/inspirationlady/Rally-2006.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/uu324/inspirationlady/Rally-2006.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/uu324/inspirationlady/rally_083.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/uu324/inspirationlady/rally_083.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/uu324/inspirationlady/rally_014.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/uu324/inspirationlady/rally_014.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)