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charlene · 11-01-2006, 08:33 AM

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."

11-01-2006, 08:33 AM	#33
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,004	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."