Message #983

[Mike Blais CD]

Troops welcomed home to sea of red pride
 
 
By David Gonczol , The Ottawa CitizenMay 9, 2009


PETAWAWA, Ont. — About 500 well-wishers rallied in Petawawa Friday for what Defence Minister Peter MacKay said was “a wonderful celebration” of “what our brave men and women in uniform do for Canada.”

It was dubbed the “Wear Red Friday Welcome Home Troops Rally” in conjunction with the return of about 1,800 troops from Afghanistan to CFB Petawawa this spring, including a contingent arriving today. A drizzle of rain that eventually gave way to sunny skies couldn’t keep away soldiers, military families, admirers and school children from saying thanks to soldiers who have served overseas.

There were dozens of service men and women who received repeated cheers from the crowd. Master Cpl. Jody Mitic, 32, lost the lower parts of both legs after stepping on a landmine in Afghanistan on Jan. 11, 2007 when he was on foot patrol with his sniper team in Panjawaii District. His wife, Alannah Gilmour, originally from Ottawa, was one of the responding combat medics when he was injured and the pair eventually started a family together in Canada.

“I get a good kick out of these things,” Mitic said. “I joined in 1994 and back then it was almost like army was a four letter word. But now, things have come full circle and people are trying to make up for lost time with us. It’s really touching to have someone come up to you and want to say thanks,” said Mitic.

Moments after arriving at the rally, MacKay crossed the parking lot of the Moncion grocery store, site of the rally, when he saw Mitic and went to chat with him for a few minutes. Mitic was in a wheelchair because he is recovering from surgery, but he is usually walking with prosthetics.

The event featured the arrival of dozens of runners who ran about 200 kilometres to the rally in an effort that raised $33,000 for the Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre. The run was organized by Commissionaires Ottawa.

Other special guests at the rally included Petawawa Mayor Bob Sweet, John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, Cheryl Gallant, MP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, CFB Petawawa base commander Lt.-Col. Bill Moore, Col. Dean Milner, commander of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at CFB Petawawa. Gen. Walter Natynczyk, chief of defence staff, was expected to attend but was called away to accompany Prime Minister Stephen Harper on his current trip to Afghanistan.

MacKay told the rally that it was a truly Canadian event.

“This is truly an expression of Canadians wanting to reach out and embrace and send those important messages of appreciation to our troops,” said MacKay.

“You are sending a visible signal that you support them and their families. This is an indication of the strength of feeling that Canadians have. There has been an awakening in the country to the value and appreciation of military service and our men and women in uniform are feeling it,” said MacKay.
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