Sending Thanksgiving Wishes

Thanksgiving Wishes

Sending all our Canadian soldiers away from home and soldiers at home, warm Thanksgiving wishes. We have so much to be thankful for ... YOU - for your dedication, your hard work, your bravery, your committment to your country, your difficult times when away from those you love. We also have families of soldiers to be thankful for - for the support and love of your soldier, difficult times you endure when they are away from you - your love and committment. We send you our prayers. ~m.m.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

For love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Living day to day in a personal sacrifice

On a mission to defend.

You are the hero whose face we may never get to see

But the pride and glory that's lives in a soldier heart

Bears one word

"Integrity"

On this day

We give thanks and honour to those brave and true

Our flags, we will proudly wave

The Red and White

We will give our thanks not only to our God

but also to every soldier for our bounties, that be.

For they give meaning to words

Home of the True north strong and Free.

To the soldiers in the mess hall

Eating their Thanksgiving feast,

to the troops in the desert eating

their next rationed meal.

May peace, hope and strength

Travel with you along the way

And may these wishes find you

On A Soldiers Thanksgiving day.

Giving Thanks to Our Troops

As you can see the time I'm writing this note.. I'm not sleeping. I'm thinking of our troops overseas.

As we sit down with family during this Thanksgiving Holiday, let us remember our soldiers in the fields - as they eat their rations in the dust swept deserts, eating from their cardboard plates. To them I wish a peaceful Thanksgiving Day Holiday.

To our soldiers:

Happy Thanksgiving Day! Godspeed! We think of you always and are THANKFUL for YOU.

As before, our family will forgo the fixings at the dining table as we will have our turkey dinner when our son comes home - with him. Happy Thanksgiving Day Son. We love you! Gido says "Hi to my Grandson.. I'm thinking about you and praying for you."

Join Military Families At Kitchener Waterloo's Thankgsiving Day Parade

Are you a family member of a soldier? Would you like to show your support and thanks to our soldiers on Thanksgiving Day? Join other family members of our soldiers in marching in the KW Thanksgiving Day Parade. Look for the sea of red between Central and University Ave on King Street in Waterloo between 8 and 8:30 am. Monday, October 13th, 2008.

One criteria.... you MUST wear RED.

If you can't join us, but are on the parade route.. let them know you're there!

Shout out a big HUA!!

Thanksgiving Day Parade 2007

There was a sea of red at the corner of King and University Avenue in Waterloo this day on October 8th, 2007 - The KW Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The sun shone brightly on the parade. It was easy to spot "the group" this year. For "the group" I'm referring to the ever diligent and caring Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan.
To contact the support group, email: FOCSIA@Hotmail.com

FOCSIA - Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan

It was an ever moving experience. When passing the crowds, the people exploded in vigorous applause and thank you's ensued. Many standing ovations throughout King Street (it was like the wave.. a continuing tidal wave of supporters applauding, cheering and letting the soldiers know their appreciation) The families as always were close behind their sons and daughters - the troops - supporting them - standing behind them. We love them all.


It was hard not to notice (other than the gigantic turkeys and horn of plenty) - overshadowing the families was a military vehicle... Canada's own Cougar. It was brought into the region and driven by soldiers from CFB Petawawa (thank you troops!)

Dignitaries applaud the Troops and families.

A Sea of Red

Firefighters whoop it up when seeing the Vets. All heroes.

Many crowds await the troops.

Families march behind the troops - the boys-our boys.

We're so proud of them!

The soldiers assist an elder veteran who succumbed to the heat.

They cared for him and transported him via the cougar.

Cousins and Uncles.

Waterloo Region Police officers saluted.

Afghan Vets ride aboard the Cougar.

Kitchener-Conestoga's MP Harold Albrecht and Linda Fauteax (a fellow military mom and Mr Albrecht's constituency assistant) proudly display a Canadian Flag. Many thanks to you for handing out the many stickers and flags along the parade route. The children loved them!
.
Waterloo Crowds

Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan Families of soldiers served, serving and awaiting to deploy to Afghanistan. Friends!

Soldiers aboard the Cougar.

Afghan vets commence marching down King Street.

Our youngest supporter takes a break from marching.

Support Our Troops

An O.P.P. cruiser displays a Support Our Troops ribbon decal in the window.

Renaud from CFB Petawawa (thank you!)

Prep work

Canada's Cougar in front of WLU residence. Soon to board this vehicle were some of the Veterans having returned from their ever appreciable and dedicated mission in Afghanistan.

Soldiers have a good vantage point of King Street

Families find relief in an air conditioned comforts of a bus.

A big note of appreciation goes out to John Prno -for organization and welcomed transportation to point A. Thank you John!

CALLING ALL VETERANS...

Thanksgiving Day Parade
Monday, October 8, 2007

Starting in Uptown Waterloo - 8:30 am

The Pride of Kitchener-Waterloo

See you at the Parade!- Don't forget to wear RED in support of our Troops!

The Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade being held in Kitchener on October 8th will be honouring our returning Afghan veterans, along with veterans of other recent peacekeeping missions. As well, families of our soldiers will be present as a continuing support to our sons and daughters, family members and friends of returning soldiers and those currently serving overseas.

Organizers are calling on all available veterans to step forward and be recognized for their service to the country.
The parade takes place on Monday morning.

Come out and meet the families at 8:00 am Line up at King and University in Waterloo.

Parade travels along King Street from King and Erb in Waterloo at 8:30 am to King and Pandora in Kitchener.

Contact: parade organizers or focsia@hotmail.com
For further Parade information information

Thanksgiving Day.. a day to say thank you to our troops.

Wear Red