Just outside the Canadian Forces display at the CNE, I joked with my boyfriend about wanting to get a picture of someone in fatigues eating soft serve ice cream, or maybe a corndog. I thought it would be a great photo of military-meets-midway — a perfect look at the relationship between the Ex and the armed forces.
Of course the long standing relationship between those two is Warriors’ Day, which I’m embarassed to admit I didn’t remember existed until we looked at this year’s program. We planned our first visit to coincide with this day honouring veterans and those in current service, so several hours earlier we’d applauded as the Warriors’ Day parade entered the grounds before we hurried ahead to take in the finale at BMO field. The events had been worth attending, but I honestly felt like there was a little something more I’d been hoping for — a special moment that never quite came.
Later at the Canadian Forces display people were taking plenty of photos of their friends and family climbing on top of military vehicles or standing next to personnel. Then beside me, I saw a young woman go running up to someone and ask if she could have her photo taken with him. He happily agreed, and as I watched she bent down a little and put her arm around the decorated veteran on his electric scooter so they could both smile for the camera. That was when I realized the moment I was looking for had arrived, and it was the perfect photo of the Canadian Forces at the CNE.
I was at the CNE on the second day. I have to say, the Canadian Armed Forces display was a highlight for me as well. I climbed on top of a Tank. How many people can say they Mounted a Tank. BAM!!!!
I was kind of nervous about going in the one of the buses they had set up because my brother made a joke about going inside and next thing you know the bus doors closes and you’re off to the training camp. But no, they were very pleasant and genuinely happy to see that people have such a strong interest in the Armed Forces.