There was a fairly large CF display at the CNE over the past two weeks, which included major Army vehicles, a variety of aircraft parts and a complete CT114 Tutor in Snowbird colours courtesy of CFSATE in Borden, and a couple of small Navy boats and display tent. We flew a Griffon in at 0630 on Saturday morning and had that open as well.
Weather was not great. It started raining about noon on Saturday and kept up until after we closed for the evening. We still had a fair number of people through despite that, but as the numbers tapered off around dinner time the display closed early at about 1830. Weather on Sunday and Monday was better, but still not the greatest..
There were well over half a million people through the display over the two weeks, and good crowds over the weekend despite crappy weather on Saturday and iffy weather on Sunday and Monday. There were constant line-ups to see our helicopter throughout. Kids were
obviously naturally excited and curious (we had a hard time coaxing some of them out again), and many parents wanted little more than a photograph of their chil(ren) wearing a flying helmet and sitting in the machine. Many couples, young or old, just wanted the same thing too. Some parents of rather young children said that Johnny or Sally or Raschid or Surinder (yes, some "visible majority" parents included) were very interested in joining when they were old enough and that they thought that this was a good career for them. Many teens expressed an interest in joining. Some people just wanted the freebies that we were handing out (I'm not sure what motivated them, other
than "something for nothing"). Many people thanked me, which I find a little embarassing as there really is no need (although that's way better than the opposite). Many technical questions were asked.
I heard a huge variety of languages being spoken between husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, parent and child and had whole families of Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, Sikhs, Muslims, Africans, Aboriginals, and people from probably every other country sit in the machine and express interest, concern for us, and curiosity in what we do and how the helicopter works. The only negative comment was
from a drunken white guy late on Sunday evening who didn't think that we should be fighting "Bush's war for oil in Afghanistan" despite lacking any real knowledge of what we were really doing or why or the political and geographical environment in which we're operating - or
coherence - but he was still polite and friendly. Not one other person suggested that we should pull out.
There was no difference in how those who were obviously Muslim acted towards us, including those dressed in traditional conservative Muslim garb. Clothing aside, they were indistinguishable from any "normal Canadian" - but I was not quite sure how to respond to questions from a veiled Muslim woman who was as self-assured and curious as any Western woman, and in the presence of her traditionally-dressed husband, but there was clearly non of the stereotypical oppression or abuse in that relationship.
Children were noticeably polite and well-mannered , with most by far managing to get their thank-yous (for the entertainment, handouts and photo ops) before being reminded by their parents.
Several Muslims expressed an interest in joining and helping out. I had a lengthy chat in a quieter moment (they didn't last long, though) with such a fellow from Iraq. Quite expectedly, the situation in his homeland came up and he was surprisingly nonchalant about it. He wasn't happy, but explained it as a continuation of past history but with a variation. He didn't blame the Americans, but the same sort of
factional infighting that had killed hundreds of thousands over many years, latterly under the Saddam Hussein regime. We expressed a mutual desire and hope for peace and prosperity for his birthplace before he headed over to the recruiters in the big display tent
for a few answers.
We conducted a small public service in the display area on Monday morning. Those civilians that attended, from all races, cultures, religions, and ethnic backgrounds, seemed equally moved.
It was a tiring weekend, but an uplifting one, and I'll happily do it again next year.
Weather was not great. It started raining about noon on Saturday and kept up until after we closed for the evening. We still had a fair number of people through despite that, but as the numbers tapered off around dinner time the display closed early at about 1830. Weather on Sunday and Monday was better, but still not the greatest..
There were well over half a million people through the display over the two weeks, and good crowds over the weekend despite crappy weather on Saturday and iffy weather on Sunday and Monday. There were constant line-ups to see our helicopter throughout. Kids were
obviously naturally excited and curious (we had a hard time coaxing some of them out again), and many parents wanted little more than a photograph of their chil(ren) wearing a flying helmet and sitting in the machine. Many couples, young or old, just wanted the same thing too. Some parents of rather young children said that Johnny or Sally or Raschid or Surinder (yes, some "visible majority" parents included) were very interested in joining when they were old enough and that they thought that this was a good career for them. Many teens expressed an interest in joining. Some people just wanted the freebies that we were handing out (I'm not sure what motivated them, other
than "something for nothing"). Many people thanked me, which I find a little embarassing as there really is no need (although that's way better than the opposite). Many technical questions were asked.
I heard a huge variety of languages being spoken between husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, parent and child and had whole families of Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, Sikhs, Muslims, Africans, Aboriginals, and people from probably every other country sit in the machine and express interest, concern for us, and curiosity in what we do and how the helicopter works. The only negative comment was
from a drunken white guy late on Sunday evening who didn't think that we should be fighting "Bush's war for oil in Afghanistan" despite lacking any real knowledge of what we were really doing or why or the political and geographical environment in which we're operating - or
coherence - but he was still polite and friendly. Not one other person suggested that we should pull out.
There was no difference in how those who were obviously Muslim acted towards us, including those dressed in traditional conservative Muslim garb. Clothing aside, they were indistinguishable from any "normal Canadian" - but I was not quite sure how to respond to questions from a veiled Muslim woman who was as self-assured and curious as any Western woman, and in the presence of her traditionally-dressed husband, but there was clearly non of the stereotypical oppression or abuse in that relationship.
Children were noticeably polite and well-mannered , with most by far managing to get their thank-yous (for the entertainment, handouts and photo ops) before being reminded by their parents.
Several Muslims expressed an interest in joining and helping out. I had a lengthy chat in a quieter moment (they didn't last long, though) with such a fellow from Iraq. Quite expectedly, the situation in his homeland came up and he was surprisingly nonchalant about it. He wasn't happy, but explained it as a continuation of past history but with a variation. He didn't blame the Americans, but the same sort of
factional infighting that had killed hundreds of thousands over many years, latterly under the Saddam Hussein regime. We expressed a mutual desire and hope for peace and prosperity for his birthplace before he headed over to the recruiters in the big display tent
for a few answers.
We conducted a small public service in the display area on Monday morning. Those civilians that attended, from all races, cultures, religions, and ethnic backgrounds, seemed equally moved.
It was a tiring weekend, but an uplifting one, and I'll happily do it again next year.
). I also saw that there was G-Wagon in the daily parade, with the troops inside tossing out those support the troops bracelets. All in all very nice to see.
So not happy about that...
