What My Red Friday Was Like

After taking all the video footage that is in the previous 7 posts, and working for a few hours to get it online, I discovered that I had not quite explained what my Red Friday was like.

After leaving the office I started making my way downtown an was listening to Lowell Green on CFRA the whold ride down. I managed to find parking on the top floor of a lot in the market and made my way towards the Hill. While walking up Sussex I noticed police motorcycles strategically placed …ummmm….everywhere. As I got to the corner where the Chateau Laurier sits the armoured cars and armoured SUV’s with full motorcycle entourage started coming around the bend and took off down Sussex behind me towards the PM’s residence. I am 99% sure this was Karzai’s motorcade.

The number of people milling around wearing red was about 1 in 5 or so but as I got closer to the Hill it was pretty much everyone. I knew I was feeling good when I stepped on the Hill and the first thing that stood out was a guy dressed up in a Santa Claus outfit. (Either that or the big guy showed up himself).

Because I arrived around 1145 and because the traffic was probably holding up a lot of folks I managed to get a decent spot about 20 meters in front of the stage, and as you can see about 10 or 15 feet to the right of Private Michael Spence (when looking off the stage).

I really enjoyed a bit of gabbing and smiles with the people around me and I enjoyed thanking man of the folks from the Legions. The video tells you what I saw.

After the event was over I managed to run into mayorial candidate Larry O’Brien again but my digital camera was dead on batteries so the photo his assistant tried to take did not happen. I also ran into Kanata North Council candidate Matt Muirhead (who I actually saw at the Carp fair again today).

Outside of that, I really just absorbed it all and felt the pride oozing from everyone. The positive vibes coming from every part of the Hill was great. I was also very pleased to see so many MP’s behind the PM and others while the speeches were on. It was quite a treat. Even Peter Stoffer was there. (I think he should run of leadership of the NDP one day!!)

I guess that covers it. If I can think of anything else, I will add it later. I want to thank Lowell Green, Steve Madely, CFRA, the Legions, the police force, the Hill staff and everyone else who made the day happen. I know it will make a great show for the troops.

Now for my one suggestion. I think that CFRA should make some sort of nice print of the photo and sell it to generate money for the local legions or for some fund for the families of those lost in the Afghanistan war. I would buy one, frame it and display it proudly if they do.

In fact…I just came up with a new Poll idea…