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Auburn Annie · 11-07-2006, 08:11 AM

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.

11-07-2006, 08:11 AM	#48
Auburn Annie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 3,101	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.