Red Friday - December 7th - Remember

http://www.stonekettle.com/2007/12/remembering-december-7th.html

Red Friday Part 2 ~ Royal Canadian Navy Ship HMCS Algonquin Crosses Pearl Harbor - RIMPAC 2012

Red Friday - Canadian RIMPAC love ...

All photos from US Pacific Fleet's RIMPAC 2012 photostream on Flicker
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43397645@N06/sets/72157630315253106/

Red Friday - Battling Bare

Broken by Battle

Wounded by War

My Love is Forever -

To you this I swore

I Will -

Quiet your silent screams

Help Heal your shattered soul  

Until once again

My Love

    You are whole

http://www.battlingbare.org/ 

From their web site:

Battling Bare is a private organization in its beginning stages currently seeking non-profit status.  We may challenge the status quo of what is acceptable and appropriate for a woman to do or how she is to behave. Because our husbands battle daily with their demons of war, we have to. These unseen wounds of Soldiers all over the world have the names depression, anxiety, night terrors, PTSD, and others. As wives, we have tried everything we know to help. Searching actively for a way to answer the question we all ask - "what can we do, we are just the wives?"- the idea for Battling Bare was born.  Our hope is that together we can inspire more "silent supporters" to "battle back" and let our voices be heard by creating an outlet of support and providing resources for wives that are at their wits end trying to help their husbands heal. 

Red Friday ~ Canadian Forces - Combat Engineer

Red Friday

Y'all know I have a special place in my heart for 'hookers.  My heart was heavy this week for the families and loved ones of the soldiers killed in the take down of the CH-47 this past weekend.  A full list of the American fallen can be found here:
http://www.thunderrun.us/2011/08/who-they-were-soldiers-sailors-and.html

Stop, take a moment, look at the names, think about the lives they represent, and acknowledge the sacrifice they and their loved ones have made.

They are all ours, regardless of what flag they wear on their shoulder.

Red Friday ~ Support the Troops

IS2011-1035-03
06 July, 2011
Kandahar, Afghanistan

The Operational Mentor Liaison Team’s (OMLT) Commanding Officer, Colonel Hercule Gosselin salutes the Commander of 1st Brigade of 205th (Hero) ANA Corps, Brigadier-General Ahmed Habibi as he arrives for the OMLT parade.

During Canada’s combat mission, mentoring and training the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police was one of six key priorities in Afghanistan. Its contribution to the Operational Mentor Liaison Team programme remained integral to ANA and ANP development in Kandahar Province. The Canadian Forces’ commitment to expand and nurture the confidence and capacity of the Afghan National Security Forces will long remain in the memory of Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan.

Operation ATHENA is Canada’s participation in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The mission of Task Force Kandahar, the Canadian-led brigade in ISAF Regional Command (South), is to set the right conditions for sustainable progress in security, governance, development and peace in the districts of Panjwa'i, Dand and Daman in Kandahar Province, in conjunction with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Afghan national security forces, and other coalition and civilian partners.

Photo by: Sergeant Matthew McGregor, Canadian Forces Combat Camera
© 2011 DND-MDN Canada

And so we turn the page, and start another chapter

Canadian soldiers walk toward a Canadian air force transport plane as they prepare to leave Afghanistan on June 30, ending nearly 10 years of military presence. (Baz Ratner/Reuters)

Red Friday - Support the Troops

Red Friday - Support the Troops

http://redfriday.ca/ 

Red.  Every Friday.  No matter what I'm up to.

Its like the not-so-secret handshake that lets us know we're in this together.

Red Friday

Bravery wears all kinds of uniforms.

Red Friday - PTSD is a bitch

http://redfridays.ca/

This post has been brewing in my head for a little while.


As the PTSD Awareness slogan says, not all woulds are visible.

The troops that come home.  The troops that don't come home.


And the troops that only come partway home.

Support the Troops, Support the Families.

Red Friday - Support the Troops

http://redfridays.ca/

The memorial at CFB Petawawa to Canadian Afghanistan Fallen

The walkway leading up to the memorial, showing the first few trees that will become the commemorative forest.

Red Friday ~ Support the Troops ~ Support the Families

http://redfridays.ca/ 

http://www.forces.ca/en/home/

Did you know the Canadian Forces have their own You Tube Channel?

http://www.youtube.com/user/CanadianForcesVideos

Red Friday - Support the Troops

And for every dream that's shattered ...

another one comes true ...

http://redfridays.ca/ 

Red Friday ~ Support the Troops ~ Support the Families

http://redfridays.ca/

Don Cherry, at times controversial, but much loved by this particular blogger, pays a visit to the Canadian Forces memorial in Kandahar, Afghanistan, while there over Christmas.  Cherry is the former coach of the Boston Bruins who now host Hockey Night in Canada with Ron McLean; and gives an editorial during "Caoch's Corner".  Cherry never fails to pay tribute to Canada's fallen, and is a strong supporter of the troops and their efforts.

(Image courtesy of the Canadian Forces Image Gallery)

For more on Cherry's Christmas visit to the troops, see this article:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/912123--don-cherry-visits-troops-in-kandahar

Red Friday ~ Look into the eyes of the Enemy

(From CBC, emphasis mine)

Rolling tape on the Taliban


In a new documentary about the Taliban, there's a scene where one of them looks into the lens and stares at the camera, like it's an animal that needs killing.


There are several disturbing moments in the film by Norwegian journalist Paul Refsdal. It's called Taliban: Behind The Masks. And that's quite literally where he goes.

Refsdel shows the Taliban commander playing with his doomed children. An ambush of American troops. Taliban at play tossing rocks - about the only thing they're not running short of in their squalid mountain hideaway.

In total, the filmmaker spent 15 days with them, more than any other western journalist ever has, documenting how they live and fight. But he nearly paid with his life.

Hear the CBC interview HERE , partway down the page.
See the rough cut of the video HERE . (26 Minutes)

I found the scenes where the Taliban fighters are looking directly into the camera stayed with me for long after.  Most moving, in one scene where the look in the eyes of the fighter seems to be saddness and absolute hopelessness ... and the scene where another fighter looks into the camera with obvious insanity behind his eyes, which I think is the scene the author reefers to in the quote above.

An hour long special based on this film will be broadcast on CNN on December 11th.  I would like to get a copy of that broadcast (afterward), if anyone knows where I can get one please leave me a comment below.  Thanks.

www.redfridays.ca

Red Friday: Standing Strong & True (For Tomorrow) Official Music Video (HD)

WeSaluteOurHeroes1 November 03, 2010
"Standing Strong and True (For Tomorrow)," is an all-star Canadian country single dedicated to fallen Canadian soldiers and their families.

For more info: http://www.wesaluteoutheroes.ca/

Music video Produced by Fahrenheit Films. Director/Editor: Antonio Hrynchuk. Cinematographer: Ray Dumas. Producers: Hrynchuk / Susan Busse.

Artists Featured:Aaron Pritchett, AJ Woodworth, Alex J Robinson, Beverley Mahood, Chad Brownlee, Chris Thorsteinson (of Doc Walker), Crystal Shawanda, Dean Brody, Diane Chase, Emerson Drive, Hey Romeo, Jake Mathews, Jamie Warren, Jason Blaine, Jason McNabb (of Marshal Reign), Jaydee Bixby, Jessie Farrell, Jo Hikk, Michelle Wright, One More Girl, Ridley Bent, Sean Hogan, Stacey McKitrick, Tara Oram, Terri Clark, The Heartbroken, The Higgins, Victoria Banks

Red Friday ~ Operation Cooking For Soldier On

From the website:  http://www.operationcookingforsoldieron.com/ 

I have started doing a fundraiser for Soldier On. It is a cookbook that I have compiled with 250 recipes from Military members and families all across Canada. It is currently in the process of being printed by Rasmussen Company based out of Winnipeg and I have reps all across Canada that are taking preorders for the cookbook.



Each cookbook sells for a minimum $12 donation and the profit will be sent to the Soldier On Fund. The picture above is the cover on the cookbook and has many different sections. My favorite one is the Care Packages section, which includes recipes that will keep to send to the troops overseas.

Soldier On is a non-profit organization that allows ill and injured military personnel to have the resources available to them to continue leading an active and healthy lifestyle. It supports these personnel in being able to achieve their independence. With the money raised, it allows them to purchase prosthetics, wheelchairs and anything else the injured may need to develop new skills and achieve their goals.

My husband and I met Jody Mitic at the Army Run in Ottawa in 2009. Jody ran the half marathon with prosthetics, it was truly inspiring and that is how I came up with the idea of a cookbook as a fundraiser. This is how I feel as a Military spouse I can help raise awareness for this amazing program!

To date there have been a total of 1500 books that have been ordered with proceeds of over $9000. As well, Soldier On has approached me to ask if this could be one of their third party fundraisers. I believe that with the help of my reps and the support of Soldier On, there will be more success in the future.

Thank you to all the reps across Canada who put in very dedicated hours in making this such a huge success. As well, thank you to all those who have purchased a cookbook and supported our injured soldiers!

Jennifer Corbett
Project Manager

To order, please go to: http://www.operationcookingforsoldieron.com/contact/ 

Red Friday - Support the Troops

27 September 2010   Trouty, Newfoundland

Combat Engineers, Corporal Johnny Chisholm (left) and Sapper Shane Parr (right), Combat Engineers from 4 Engineer Support Regiment, Gagetown, New Brunswick and Chris Hiscock, a Heavy Equipment operator contracted by the Newfoundland Government, survey their progress in moving dirt in preparation for bridge building in the small community of Trouty in eastern Newfoundland.

The military was asked to assist with civil powers after Hurricane Igor passed the southern shores of Newfoundland knocking out power and washing out numerous bridges with over 200mm of rain.

28 September 2010     Trouty, Newfoundland

With team work, Engineers from 4 Engineer Support Regiment, in Gagetown, New Brunswick and 56 Engineer Squadron, from St. John’s Newfoundland, assemble a Medium Girder Bridge (MGB) to reconnect the small community of Trouty when the main bridge was destroyed in Hurricane Igor.

Operation LAMA (A) 02-10 is the Canadian Forces (CF) joint response led by Canada Command and conducted through Joint Task Force Atlantic (JTFA) to the devastation caused by Hurricane Igor to southern and eastern Newfoundland on 21 September 2010. The domestic humanitarian relief mission incorporated Canadian Forces land, maritime and air assets to deliver much needed assistance to isolated Newfoundland communities cut off by severe road damage.

More than 1,000 members from the Air, Land and Maritime components of the CF, in coordination with the Federal Government of Canada and the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, are engaged in multiple tasks on Op LAMA (A) 02-10, including: delivering critical supplies such as food, water, medical supplies and fuel; providing medical evacuation; assisting in moving power crews and materials to repair power grids; delivering generators and re-supplying fuel to main communications nodes; assisting with bridging and road repair and transporting engineering analysis teams.

 

All photos Canadian Forces Combat Camera

Red Friday - Support the Troops

September 10, 1939 the Parliament of Canada declared war against the German Reich, marking the beginning of Canada's participation in the Second World War. The war officially began on September 1, 1939, with the German Invasion of Poland. Unlike in the First World War Canada was not automatically entered into conflict when Britain declared war, seven days prior. Canada also declared war on Italy (September 10, 1940), Japan (December 7, 1941), and other Axis powers. Canada's military was active in every theatre of war, though most battles occurred in Italy, Northern Europe, and the North Atlantic.



Over the course of the war, 1.1 million Canadians served in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Of these more than 45,000 lost their lives and another 54,000 were wounded. The financial cost was $21,786,077,519.12, between the 1939 and 1950 fiscal years. The suffering and the hardships of war affected many Canadians at home and abroad. By the end of the War, Canada had the world's fourth largest air force, and third largest navy. Additionally, the Canadian Merchant Navy completed over 25,000 voyages across the Atlantic. Canadians also served in the militaries of various Allied countries.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_world_war_two .

September 10, 2001. To quote a friend, the last day of our collective innocence in North America. The following day would bring to us horror and betrayal we could never have imagined, changing our lives forever.

September 10, 2010. While our heart are heavy with the rememberance of tomorrow's anniversary, for many of us our hearts and minds are also heavy wondering what tomorrow will bring, and if the actions of a preacher in Florida will cause increased danger to our loved ones in uniform.