Posted on 08/25/2007 7:46:08 AM PDT by mdittmar
TORONTO -- 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.
Friday's rally comes at the end of a deadly week for the Canadian mission. On Sunday, Pte. Simon Longtin was killed and on Wednesday, Master Warrant Officer Mario Mercier and Master Cpl. Christian Duchesne died when their armoured vehicle hit a roadside bomb. All three soldiers were based in Valcartier, Que.
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.
Thank you, Canada.
Is Canada coming back to its senses???
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.
Ping
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Well-done bump!
I didn’t know Canada had an army.
Is Canada coming back to its senses???
&&&
I suspect that most Canadians have their senses, but like us they have morons in their MSM who have the big bullhorns.
Return of that “Ole Time Patriotism” is growing.
"President MacKay......Prime Minister MacKay....Caliph MacKay.....what's the difference?"
that’s great...all of the gains in making people’s lives better need to be forefront in as many news sources as possible.
I will be Lincolnesque.
“I didn’t know Canada had an army.”
It’s small, to be sure, but very professional and efficient.
Thank you, CANADA!
I was there! It was great!
I think it should be recognised that this rally was held at the CNE, thus everyone there had to pay admission to get in—and they still came! I think that is very significant.
I have never seen patriotism like this in Canada. People sang the national anthem with hats over there hearts, and veterans in civilian clothing saluted. Bagpipes were playing, and a helicopter was flying overhead. The mood was very upbeat, and people were going around shaking the soldier’s hands and thanking them.
Just incredible.
General Rick Hillier 
wounded veteran-Sapper Mike McTeague 
Wow! I love that front page picture.
Brings a tear to the eye.
btt
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