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 |
It would have been nice to know what he said. Thanks for posting this Annie.
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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/loc...ub=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 ] |
Was this on CBC? If so, do you hink it will be repeated on the late news?
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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.... |
Cool. I'll watch for it. I think CBC news is on at 10 here.
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mention of Gord here and video of him also. http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_4000.aspx |
http://www.torontosun.com/News/Colum...0/1923949.html
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/9...ghtfootwi6.jpg [ September 30, 2006, 02:35: Message edited by: charlene ] |
WOW - our man gets around, eh? Nice photo, thanks for posting. Refreshing point of view straight from the horse's mouth.
Bill :) |
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 ] |
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 |
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http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...rsuncover1.jpg |
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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. |
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. Quote:
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...rsuncover1.jpg [/QUOTE] |
see footage of the rally at MYSPACE:
Gord welcomes you... http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...2-368ae90a04ee or www.myspace.com/canadarally |
http://decor-27.slide.com/item/Hkm6a...KzcX2mx0A/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] |
http://hespeler.blogspot.com/2006/09...rom-rally.html
website for fallen Canadian soldier...more pics from rally and a lovely one of Gord... |
Thanks Char....
good to see such a display of patriotism, etc. |
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.
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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.
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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". :( |
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... |
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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. |
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. |
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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". |
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. |
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. |
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 |
Tom Cochrane-supports troops. says Lightfoot a great Canadian.
http://www.torontosun.com/News/Canad...97045-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." |
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.
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"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. |
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 ] |
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 |
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... |
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 ] |
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