Warriors' Day Parade

If you've never been to Warrior' Day, I highly recommend going. Last year was my first chance to attend the CNE during Warriors' Day. It was highly invigorating. There were many displays to view for both adults and children. Many of our Veterans were in attendance- all to thank with sincerest gratitude. The Musical Salute in the evening is phenominal - bringing tears to the eyes as they had commemorated our troops serving overseas. Be sure to mark it on your calendar. See you at the EX.

The 88th Warriors' Day Parade will be held on Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 at 10:30am at the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. For more information, click here. or go to: http://www.warriorsdayparade.ca/

The 2009 parade is dedicated to the Centennial of the Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC). Today more than 7500 CIC officers supervise 59000 cadets in 1156 corps and squadrons across Canada. The CIC is one of the most diversified and active components of the Canadian Forces whose goal is to ensure that cadets benefit from the best training possible and that they develop their skills to the fullest. The Warriors' Day Parade is proud to mark this significant anniversary.

Established in 1921, The Warriors' Day Parade takes place in August of each year during the opening weekend of The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The longest-running, annual parade of its' type, The Warriors' Day Parade is an important Canadian tradition and a very significant event for our Veterans, our brave men and women who currently serve in Canada's military, their families and the general public.

Complete your 2009 Warriors Day experience by attending the Canadian Forces Musical Salute.

CANADIAN FORCES MUSICAL SALUTE

Free with CNE admission
THANKING THE CANADIAN PUBLIC FOR THEIR SUPPORT
PARTICIPANTS:
The Central Band of the Canadian Forces combined with
The First Canadian Air Division Band
The Air Command Pipes and Drums
The Ceremonial Guard Band and the Drill Team
438 Squadron Fanfare
The Combined Bands of The Toronto Garrison
The National Band of the Naval Reserve
…and other special guests
FEATURED PERFORMANCE:
Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture (using our own military's militia)

Friday, August 21 and Saturday August 22, 2009
Gates Open at 7:00 pm
BMO Field – Exhibition Place, Toronto

FOR VETERANS AND FAMILIES:
Veterans and their families may apply for complimentary CNE tickets by completing the Family Ticket Application Form and mailing it to the Ticket Chairman no later than 7th August 2009.

Click here for application form

Free parking in CNE parking lots on Warriors' Day for Veterans. Vehicle must have an official Canadian or U.S.A. Veteran's license plate to qualify.

COMPLIMENTARY BUS & TRAIN TRANSPORTATION for Veterans and Families click here for info

Red Rally at CNE in Toronto Honours Canadian Troops

Hillier, MacKay Among Dignitaries Thanking Crowd of Thousands for

Support of Military

Supporters sing O Canada during a support-the-troops rally in Toronto yesterday. The sight of hundreds of red-clad troop supporters at the Canadian National Exhibition was ''a visible show, a tangible show of support for our men and women in uniform,'' said Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier. Photo credit: Canadian Press

Canada's top soldier told cheering marchers in Toronto on Friday that their support for the military encourages Canadian soldiers who are enduring difficult and dangerous conditions in Afghanistan.
Gen. Rick Hillier was speaking at a massive rally at the Canadian National Exhibition fairgrounds, where hundreds of people turned out in red shirts to show support for the soldiers stationed overseas.
"What [this rally] does is convince them that when you're 12,000 kilometres away from home, and when you're on a dusty, and dirty and dangerous trail, and when you're walking that trail doing your mission, Canadians are walking with them," said Hillier, chief of defence staff.
"And as a result of this, maybe, just maybe, they'll do the same thing and accept the same risk again tomorrow and for as long as we need them to do the mission."
Hillier, who stood before the crowd with three wounded soldiers at his side, said the men and women serving in Afghanistan are aware of the rally and will be sent video images and pictures.

Afghanistan war veteran Master Cpl. Jody Mitic, centre, who lost his legs to a land mine, stands Friday at a rally to support Canada's troops with hockey personality Don Cherry, left, and police Chief William Blair, at Toronto's CNE. Photo Credit: Peter J. Thompson


Sharing a stage with the minister of defence, the head of the Canadian Forces and Don Cherry, wounded soldier Jody Mitic looked out to a boisterous crowd of people gathered for a Toronto rally in support of troops in Afghanistan and noted how times have changed.
"When (I) first joined in the mid-nineties, military and army were bad words," the 30-year-old master corporal from Brampton, who stepped on a land mine in the Panjwai district and now wears artificial legs, said later. "But now, everyone is supporting us. Makes it worth it, losing my legs and all."
The military estimated that 4,000 people attended the Red Friday Rally, held in the Canadian Forces display, at the Canadian National Exhibition Friday, which included addresses from Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier and Defence Minister Peter MacKay, who said "we are doing this mission because Canadians care."
Some speakers alluded to the debate that surrounds the mission, which began in 2002.
"It is not my job, nor my responsibility, to articulate why we do certain missions but let me just tell you, as soldiers, we have to believe that there's a nugget of a mission before we will go out and do it," said Hillier. "Before we go on a mission where we risk life and limb, as our soldiers do every single day, we have to believe in the mission."
Hockey personality Don Cherry, who wore a red jacket, acknowledged that not everyone agrees with the war, "but when our troops are over there, we have to support them," he said.
The Red Friday campaign started in April 2006 to show support for the Canadian Forces. It encourages Canadians to wear a red article of clothing on Fridays to represent the blood that has been shed by soldiers. Since then, dozens of rallies have been held across the country.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay talked about the difference the Canadian military is already making in Afghanistan; boys and girls are able to go to school, women can work, he said.
"The rally today means so much to our troops, it means so much to the men and women who are working hard to protect us, to safeguard our freedoms and the lives of the people in Afghanistan and those who want to live in an open and free country like ours," he said.
MacKay then asked the crowd to cheer for the troops and pose for a photo that would be transmitted to Afghanistan. The crowd responded enthusiastically