Here, here it is nice to see some support for our troops?
Article.
OTTAWA — The subdued colours of official Ottawa were replaced Friday with blazing displays of red as thousands of people jammed Parliament Hill in an unprecedented outpouring of pride and tears for Canadian troops fighting in Afghanistan.
"First off all I'd like to say, wow," said Lisa Miller, wife of a Canadian soldier, as she surveyed the crowd of up to 10,000 from a platform at the base of the Hill.
"We never dreamed it would be this good," she said weakly, wiping tears from her eyes. "It's heart-warming you came together to support our soldiers."
Ms. Miller and another military spouse, Karen Boire, were the architects of a campaign to wear red on Fridays as a show of support for the soldiers. It started in Petawawa, Ont. — home of the Royal Canadian Regiment's 1st Battalion, which is currently deployed overseas.
The idea of a rally took on a life of its own as local radio stations in Ottawa — spearheaded by CFRA — pumped it up, promoting it on air.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper made an impromptu appearance, telling the rambunctious, upbeat audience that they owe their freedoms to soldiers just like the ones who are fighting terrorism in Afghanistan.
Throughout the lunch hour Friday — by foot, by cab and by bus — supporters of the troops and the war in Afghanistan streamed on to the front lawn, all wearing or carrying something red.
There were red shirts, red ties, floppy red hats, red jackets, even flashes of red thongs among the crowd.
Both spouses said they believe they've tapped into an unseen reservoir of pent-up emotion that's been building as casualties in the conflict mount and the debate over the merits of the mission becomes more shrill.
"We believe Canadians at large have always supported our troops, although they've not until now had a way to visually show their support," said Ms. Boire, whose boyfriend is in uniform, but not currently overseas.
"We're humbled by the success of this rally and the 'wear red Fridays' campaign. We now have an understanding of just how many people actually get it."
Mr. Harper said no one — not even journalists — should be "afraid or ashamed to defend the Canadian military."
It was an apparent reference to recent disciplinary action taken against a Radio-Canada journalist, who publicly spoke in favour of troops in Afghanistan. The war has grown increasingly unpopular among Canadians, something military leaders — both at home and overseas — have watched with a degree of dismay.
"Your actions here today are a tangible sign to (soldiers) that their service is not unseen, their actions are not unappreciated and indeed their sacrifice is appreciated greatly," said Gen. Rick Hillier, chief of defence staff, who stood for most of the rally beside Pte. Michael Spence, a soldier wounded in a recent friendly-fire incident.
Although billed as a non-partisan rally, Mr. Harper used the occasion to slip in a not-so-subtle jab at NDP Leader Jack Layton, who has called for the withdrawal Canadian troops from the combat portion of the mission.
"Friends, I believe you cannot say you are for our military and then not stand behind them in the great things they do." The rally came hours after Afghan President Hamid Karzai addressed a joint session of Parliament and thanked Canadians for their efforts in the poverty-stricken country. Later, Mr. Karzai laid a wreath at the National War Memorial to honour the 36 Canadians who've died serving in his country since 2002.
There are 2,300 Canadian soldiers serving in Afghanistan, with another 200 on the way.
Article.
OTTAWA — The subdued colours of official Ottawa were replaced Friday with blazing displays of red as thousands of people jammed Parliament Hill in an unprecedented outpouring of pride and tears for Canadian troops fighting in Afghanistan.
"First off all I'd like to say, wow," said Lisa Miller, wife of a Canadian soldier, as she surveyed the crowd of up to 10,000 from a platform at the base of the Hill.
"We never dreamed it would be this good," she said weakly, wiping tears from her eyes. "It's heart-warming you came together to support our soldiers."
Ms. Miller and another military spouse, Karen Boire, were the architects of a campaign to wear red on Fridays as a show of support for the soldiers. It started in Petawawa, Ont. — home of the Royal Canadian Regiment's 1st Battalion, which is currently deployed overseas.
The idea of a rally took on a life of its own as local radio stations in Ottawa — spearheaded by CFRA — pumped it up, promoting it on air.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper made an impromptu appearance, telling the rambunctious, upbeat audience that they owe their freedoms to soldiers just like the ones who are fighting terrorism in Afghanistan.
Throughout the lunch hour Friday — by foot, by cab and by bus — supporters of the troops and the war in Afghanistan streamed on to the front lawn, all wearing or carrying something red.
There were red shirts, red ties, floppy red hats, red jackets, even flashes of red thongs among the crowd.
Both spouses said they believe they've tapped into an unseen reservoir of pent-up emotion that's been building as casualties in the conflict mount and the debate over the merits of the mission becomes more shrill.
"We believe Canadians at large have always supported our troops, although they've not until now had a way to visually show their support," said Ms. Boire, whose boyfriend is in uniform, but not currently overseas.
"We're humbled by the success of this rally and the 'wear red Fridays' campaign. We now have an understanding of just how many people actually get it."
Mr. Harper said no one — not even journalists — should be "afraid or ashamed to defend the Canadian military."
It was an apparent reference to recent disciplinary action taken against a Radio-Canada journalist, who publicly spoke in favour of troops in Afghanistan. The war has grown increasingly unpopular among Canadians, something military leaders — both at home and overseas — have watched with a degree of dismay.
"Your actions here today are a tangible sign to (soldiers) that their service is not unseen, their actions are not unappreciated and indeed their sacrifice is appreciated greatly," said Gen. Rick Hillier, chief of defence staff, who stood for most of the rally beside Pte. Michael Spence, a soldier wounded in a recent friendly-fire incident.
Although billed as a non-partisan rally, Mr. Harper used the occasion to slip in a not-so-subtle jab at NDP Leader Jack Layton, who has called for the withdrawal Canadian troops from the combat portion of the mission.
"Friends, I believe you cannot say you are for our military and then not stand behind them in the great things they do." The rally came hours after Afghan President Hamid Karzai addressed a joint session of Parliament and thanked Canadians for their efforts in the poverty-stricken country. Later, Mr. Karzai laid a wreath at the National War Memorial to honour the 36 Canadians who've died serving in his country since 2002.
There are 2,300 Canadian soldiers serving in Afghanistan, with another 200 on the way.
