Hi, I'm one of the 83 private citizens that has donated the use of a red car & my time & fuel to participate in this event. I thought I was doing this to honour our troops & families. I also have my friend (Reservist) with me who will be deployed mid July. Now I don't know what to think of all of this. I just started reading about it yesterday, but I have commited to being there Saturday. :-\
The Red Fridays Foundation of Canada & Repatriation Memorial Rally (May 08): Objections & Praise
- Thread starter Amos
- Start date
Strike said:
I will do what I said I would, and I really want to show support & spend a bit more time with my buddy, before he gets deployed. It's just kind of an unsettled feeling to think you are doing something to show support & say thankyou, and then this gets in the way. I have nothing to do with any of the business ? I just happen to live in a military town, have friends & family in the military & wanted to show support. I signed on here to just say why I am one of the people participating. Hey, I might stick around for a bit too.
My Grandfather was a Merchant Mariner. HMCS Cornwallis, Dec 3rd 1944.
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So much for him removing any names of the car. My girlfriend emailed the website asking for her husband's name to be removed and to tell them how upset she was that she had not been contacted. Here is the response:
Dear Mrs. Arnold,
We here at the Red Fridays Foundation of Canada value the opinions and comments of families of fallen soldiers and would like to thank you for taking the time to contact us with your concerns.
With regards to your husbands name appearing on the Red Fridays Car, I understand your position and would like to express on behave of the Red Fridays Foundation of Canada, our deepest sympathies over the loss of your husband. I can not even imagine what your family has going through, nor would I pretend to. The Red Friday’s car was created and designed as a cenotaph to the soldiers that we have lost since entering the conflict in Afghanistan, as well to help gain support for our serving men and women that are currently serving overseas. Our upcoming event on the 31st of May is to pay tribute to not only the men and women we have lost, but their families for making the ultimate sacrifice. I am sorry that our foundation did not contact you; however, we did not know how to contact you or where to even begin looking for the information to make contact. I understand your feelings, and respect your position, the statement of this being a “fun filled day for the whole family” was taken out of context, and I am sorry those words struck you in the manner in which they did; they have since been removed from our literature and our website. This event is to pay tribute to the men and women we have lost and a memorial ceremony is scheduled to take place upon our arrival in Downsview Park. At this time there are currently 32 members of families of the fallen who are planning on taking part in this event and joining us as we celebrate the lives of the men and women we have lost and the sacrifices they have made.
With regards to the removal of your husbands name from the car for this Saturday, because of the design of the graphic, and the location of your husbands name we will not be able to honour that request. Furthermore, several members of your husband’s immediate family will be on hand during this event and have requested, several weeks ago, that his name remain on the car during the rally, and for the duration of the cars existence.
Again, this is meant as no disrespect to you or your sacrifice, but your husband’s name is beside the men that died along side of him, and their families will also be in attendance.
I would like to take this time and opportunity to invite you personally to take part in this event, and come see for yourself what it is that the Red Fridays Foundation of Canada is trying to do in honour of your husband, and the other 82 service men and women we have lost since 2002.
I have made arrangements for accommodations for the families as well as a bus company has provided a bus for all of the families to travel down the highway of heroes together, these same accommodations can be made for you
and your families should you like to partake in this event. I have
personally worked with several families with regards to this event, including your husbands, the family of Pte. David Byers, and several others and I would be honoured to do the same for you and your family I can be reached either by e-mail via this address or by telephone at 613-779-9699.
Also, this is a link to our official press release with regards to this event http://www.redfridays.ca/pressreleases/rdr_may%2028_2008.htm
Sincerely,
Brandon Arnold
Ambassador for Red Fridays Foundation/Event Coordinator
Dear Mrs. Arnold,
We here at the Red Fridays Foundation of Canada value the opinions and comments of families of fallen soldiers and would like to thank you for taking the time to contact us with your concerns.
With regards to your husbands name appearing on the Red Fridays Car, I understand your position and would like to express on behave of the Red Fridays Foundation of Canada, our deepest sympathies over the loss of your husband. I can not even imagine what your family has going through, nor would I pretend to. The Red Friday’s car was created and designed as a cenotaph to the soldiers that we have lost since entering the conflict in Afghanistan, as well to help gain support for our serving men and women that are currently serving overseas. Our upcoming event on the 31st of May is to pay tribute to not only the men and women we have lost, but their families for making the ultimate sacrifice. I am sorry that our foundation did not contact you; however, we did not know how to contact you or where to even begin looking for the information to make contact. I understand your feelings, and respect your position, the statement of this being a “fun filled day for the whole family” was taken out of context, and I am sorry those words struck you in the manner in which they did; they have since been removed from our literature and our website. This event is to pay tribute to the men and women we have lost and a memorial ceremony is scheduled to take place upon our arrival in Downsview Park. At this time there are currently 32 members of families of the fallen who are planning on taking part in this event and joining us as we celebrate the lives of the men and women we have lost and the sacrifices they have made.
With regards to the removal of your husbands name from the car for this Saturday, because of the design of the graphic, and the location of your husbands name we will not be able to honour that request. Furthermore, several members of your husband’s immediate family will be on hand during this event and have requested, several weeks ago, that his name remain on the car during the rally, and for the duration of the cars existence.
Again, this is meant as no disrespect to you or your sacrifice, but your husband’s name is beside the men that died along side of him, and their families will also be in attendance.
I would like to take this time and opportunity to invite you personally to take part in this event, and come see for yourself what it is that the Red Fridays Foundation of Canada is trying to do in honour of your husband, and the other 82 service men and women we have lost since 2002.
I have made arrangements for accommodations for the families as well as a bus company has provided a bus for all of the families to travel down the highway of heroes together, these same accommodations can be made for you
and your families should you like to partake in this event. I have
personally worked with several families with regards to this event, including your husbands, the family of Pte. David Byers, and several others and I would be honoured to do the same for you and your family I can be reached either by e-mail via this address or by telephone at 613-779-9699.
Also, this is a link to our official press release with regards to this event http://www.redfridays.ca/pressreleases/rdr_may%2028_2008.htm
Sincerely,
Brandon Arnold
Ambassador for Red Fridays Foundation/Event Coordinator
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teddybear said:
I'm surprised that he didn't know how to contact her -- or even "where to begin looking" for contact info given that he then states that several members of her husbands "immediate" family will be there and have asked for his name to remain on the car. Being his wife, "she" would be his immediate designated "NOK".
This public dissention is very sad to see and my heart goes out to her.
Bottom line is folks, if you want to support charities - donate to those charities directly, at least then you can be sure your money makes it to them.
Foundations do not have to answer to you when you query "where exactly" the money went. Their books are not open to public scrutiny as they are not registered ... and you take your chances. Always read the fine print.
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What's funny Vern is that we get all kinds of invitations and offers by other organizations. They contact the Centre who passes it along to us. They don't give out our addresses but they do forward it to us. If this organization wanted to reach that should have been the route to take....contact VAC or DND. Flip side is maybe they did and the Centre did not support them.
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WOW!
Ok first of all, CaptainJ, you've helped us through it all. We knew it was going to be intense and rough on us, but you're encouragement and kind words helped us along the way. It's great having you by our side!!
You know I've heard it so many times, but everytime I see/hear/read that info that you posted it flabbergasts me all over again!! I just cant fathom it.
Agent13, no one is trying to discourage you from doing what you've planned to do, all we're asking is that people educate themselves regarding the RFFD. Your personal reasons for taking part are VERY sincere in the fact that you are doing so to support your friend. Do everything you can to support your friend and know that we as well will be supporting him also every time we put on a piece of red clothing on Friday's or every time we slap a support magnet on our vehicles.. etc.. All the best to your friend as he embarks on his mission to serve his country.
Teddybear, I have no words. I'm simply appalled! After all the rantings about how they would honor any families who request to have the names of their loved ones removed or not included in this weekends events.
Just a couple mornings ago, over the airways in Toronto, an RFFD of Canada rep stated just that! Not only that, it was also in the newspaper articles that have come out in the last couple of days.
They say they have not received any complaints, but that leaves me wondering if that is true, or are they just stating that they've not received any because they don't wanna deal with it. As stated in the email to Mrs. Arnold, due to the nature of the graphic, it's impossible to remove. WHY make a statement indicating they would honor the requests if it's impossible.
Whether they could get phone numbers or not is not the point. There are other methods of contact. They claim to have been planning/organizing this event for a VERY long time. Well to me that VERY long time seems long enough to have explored other avenues to get in contact with the families. This contact could have been done by way of 3rd party. In fact, TSL just happens to know someone who without invading ANY privacy was able to forward condolences cards to each family by using the bases as 3rd parties. Therefore, no addresses nor phone numbers were provided and no privacies were invaded!
Why could the RFFD not have thought of something like that? Too much work maybe? Well that's too bad, if you want to put on such a large scale event then the time must be taken to cover allllll of your bases! To make sure that no stone is left unturned!!
To those of you that have tried unsuccessfully to contact the RFFD or redfridays.ca, keep trying. Let them know how you feel. This is getting out of hand in my opinion and something needs to be done.
Ok first of all, CaptainJ, you've helped us through it all. We knew it was going to be intense and rough on us, but you're encouragement and kind words helped us along the way. It's great having you by our side!!
You know I've heard it so many times, but everytime I see/hear/read that info that you posted it flabbergasts me all over again!! I just cant fathom it.
Agent13, no one is trying to discourage you from doing what you've planned to do, all we're asking is that people educate themselves regarding the RFFD. Your personal reasons for taking part are VERY sincere in the fact that you are doing so to support your friend. Do everything you can to support your friend and know that we as well will be supporting him also every time we put on a piece of red clothing on Friday's or every time we slap a support magnet on our vehicles.. etc.. All the best to your friend as he embarks on his mission to serve his country.
Teddybear, I have no words. I'm simply appalled! After all the rantings about how they would honor any families who request to have the names of their loved ones removed or not included in this weekends events.
Just a couple mornings ago, over the airways in Toronto, an RFFD of Canada rep stated just that! Not only that, it was also in the newspaper articles that have come out in the last couple of days.
They say they have not received any complaints, but that leaves me wondering if that is true, or are they just stating that they've not received any because they don't wanna deal with it. As stated in the email to Mrs. Arnold, due to the nature of the graphic, it's impossible to remove. WHY make a statement indicating they would honor the requests if it's impossible.
Whether they could get phone numbers or not is not the point. There are other methods of contact. They claim to have been planning/organizing this event for a VERY long time. Well to me that VERY long time seems long enough to have explored other avenues to get in contact with the families. This contact could have been done by way of 3rd party. In fact, TSL just happens to know someone who without invading ANY privacy was able to forward condolences cards to each family by using the bases as 3rd parties. Therefore, no addresses nor phone numbers were provided and no privacies were invaded!
Why could the RFFD not have thought of something like that? Too much work maybe? Well that's too bad, if you want to put on such a large scale event then the time must be taken to cover allllll of your bases! To make sure that no stone is left unturned!!
To those of you that have tried unsuccessfully to contact the RFFD or redfridays.ca, keep trying. Let them know how you feel. This is getting out of hand in my opinion and something needs to be done.
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Local organizers defend Red Fridays Rally
Huge highway procession, ceremony to honour troops goes Saturday
Wed May 28, 2008
By Jillian Follert
DURHAM -- A massive event to commemorate Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan is scheduled to hit the streets this Saturday but organizers aren't getting the kind of publicity they had hoped for.
Brian Wilkins, the Durham Region spokesman for the Red Fridays Foundation, has been fielding calls and speaking on GTA radio stations this week, trying to combat negative allegations about the Red Fridays Rally.
The event will see hundreds of cars travel the Highway of Heroes from Trenton to Toronto, ending with a ceremony at Downsview Park.
The procession will include 83 red vehicles, one for every soldier who has died in Afghanistan, and will be led by a donated Dodge Magnum rally car painted with the name of each fallen soldier.
At issue are complaints from the original founders of the Red Fridays movement -- which encourages Canadians to wear red on Fridays as a show of support for the troops -- who say the rally organizers didn't have permission to put the names of the soldiers on the lead car and that the Red Fridays Foundation is not a registered charity.
Mr. Wilkins said the concerns stem from misunderstandings and is distraught by widespread media coverage questioning the motives of the event.
"It's discouraging. We just wanted to do something to show our troops we're behind them," said Mr. Wilkins, an Oshawa resident who spent six months driving a fuel truck on the Canadian Forces base in Kandahar.
He said the names of the fallen soldiers on the car are not intended to be an advertisement, partisan political statement or anything other than a simple tribute done with the best of intentions.
Regardless, reports in the Toronto media have quoted relatives of fallen soldiers saying they want nothing to do with the rally, and want their loved ones names taken off the car.
[size=10pt][size=10pt][size=10pt][size=10pt]Event organizer Brian Muntz has said he will remove names from the car if families request it.[/size][/size][/size][/size]
On the topic of fundraising, Mr. Wilkins confirmed the Red Fridays Foundation is not a registered charity -- a fact that is published on the Red Fridays website.
He said this was done intentionally because Canadian law precludes registered charities from donating to other registered charities.
The foundation plans to donate proceeds from Saturday's rally to four charities: the Canadian Hearing Society (which supplies vets with TTY phones), Friends of Veterans Canada, Tony Stacey Centre for Veterans Care and the Troop Morale Fund sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion.
"We are a non-profit group, we aren't making any money from this at all," Mr. Wilkins said.
He encouraged people who are uncomfortable donating to the foundation to donate directly to one of the above listed charities or to simply attend the rally without making a donation or collecting pledges.
"The main goal of this is just to show support for our soldiers over there, to have lots of people come out and take that message to Afghanistan," he said.
So far, Mr. Wilkins said the foundation has raised about $11,000 and has spent $7,500 on costs for the rally, like lighting, a stage and gas for the lead car.
Bowmanville resident Paul Caswell doesn't see any problem with the event.
In fact, the father of local fallen soldier Darryl Caswell will be driving one of the 83 red cars at the front of the procession.
"I don't have any concerns at all, I think this is a great thing," he said.
The rally starts at noon on May 31 at Centennial Park in Trenton. The main procession will be released from the park at 3 p.m. and travel to Downsview Park in Toronto, where a ceremony will be held. OPP, local police and Canadian Army Veteran Riders will escort the procession along the route.
Obviously, not all families protest the fact that this is happening and that the names of their loved ones are being paraded, but some do and for those that do, they deserve some RESPECT!!
(to be quite honest though, this is the first quote I've seen from a family member that DOES support it)
As for Mr. Muntz's quote up there, totally contradicts the email response received from Mrs. Arnold don't you think?!?!?! Raises even more questions
Huge highway procession, ceremony to honour troops goes Saturday
Wed May 28, 2008
By Jillian Follert
DURHAM -- A massive event to commemorate Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan is scheduled to hit the streets this Saturday but organizers aren't getting the kind of publicity they had hoped for.
Brian Wilkins, the Durham Region spokesman for the Red Fridays Foundation, has been fielding calls and speaking on GTA radio stations this week, trying to combat negative allegations about the Red Fridays Rally.
The event will see hundreds of cars travel the Highway of Heroes from Trenton to Toronto, ending with a ceremony at Downsview Park.
The procession will include 83 red vehicles, one for every soldier who has died in Afghanistan, and will be led by a donated Dodge Magnum rally car painted with the name of each fallen soldier.
At issue are complaints from the original founders of the Red Fridays movement -- which encourages Canadians to wear red on Fridays as a show of support for the troops -- who say the rally organizers didn't have permission to put the names of the soldiers on the lead car and that the Red Fridays Foundation is not a registered charity.
Mr. Wilkins said the concerns stem from misunderstandings and is distraught by widespread media coverage questioning the motives of the event.
"It's discouraging. We just wanted to do something to show our troops we're behind them," said Mr. Wilkins, an Oshawa resident who spent six months driving a fuel truck on the Canadian Forces base in Kandahar.
He said the names of the fallen soldiers on the car are not intended to be an advertisement, partisan political statement or anything other than a simple tribute done with the best of intentions.
Regardless, reports in the Toronto media have quoted relatives of fallen soldiers saying they want nothing to do with the rally, and want their loved ones names taken off the car.
[size=10pt][size=10pt][size=10pt][size=10pt]Event organizer Brian Muntz has said he will remove names from the car if families request it.[/size][/size][/size][/size]
On the topic of fundraising, Mr. Wilkins confirmed the Red Fridays Foundation is not a registered charity -- a fact that is published on the Red Fridays website.
He said this was done intentionally because Canadian law precludes registered charities from donating to other registered charities.
The foundation plans to donate proceeds from Saturday's rally to four charities: the Canadian Hearing Society (which supplies vets with TTY phones), Friends of Veterans Canada, Tony Stacey Centre for Veterans Care and the Troop Morale Fund sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion.
"We are a non-profit group, we aren't making any money from this at all," Mr. Wilkins said.
He encouraged people who are uncomfortable donating to the foundation to donate directly to one of the above listed charities or to simply attend the rally without making a donation or collecting pledges.
"The main goal of this is just to show support for our soldiers over there, to have lots of people come out and take that message to Afghanistan," he said.
So far, Mr. Wilkins said the foundation has raised about $11,000 and has spent $7,500 on costs for the rally, like lighting, a stage and gas for the lead car.
Bowmanville resident Paul Caswell doesn't see any problem with the event.
In fact, the father of local fallen soldier Darryl Caswell will be driving one of the 83 red cars at the front of the procession.
"I don't have any concerns at all, I think this is a great thing," he said.
The rally starts at noon on May 31 at Centennial Park in Trenton. The main procession will be released from the park at 3 p.m. and travel to Downsview Park in Toronto, where a ceremony will be held. OPP, local police and Canadian Army Veteran Riders will escort the procession along the route.
Obviously, not all families protest the fact that this is happening and that the names of their loved ones are being paraded, but some do and for those that do, they deserve some RESPECT!!
(to be quite honest though, this is the first quote I've seen from a family member that DOES support it)
As for Mr. Muntz's quote up there, totally contradicts the email response received from Mrs. Arnold don't you think?!?!?! Raises even more questions
I have an email that was sent out aprox. 13mths ago outlining the plans to hold this said event
So, you are right, they should have had plenty of time to look into how to contact family members
As I stated in an early post, regarding the families wishes, all families should have been asked (so they contacted parents and not the widows in some or most cases and only a handful at best) IF for any reason there was not an agreement between the parents and the widow ... scrap it! It will, and probably is going to, cause issues in the family connection ... and lets remember in a lot of cases CHILDREN are involved!
As a mother of children who ask alot of questions, my heart breaks for the children who might ask questions about this event and why their Daddy's name is being used or what it all means .... I know that this might not happen ... but WHAT IF???
Keep wearing your RED on Fridays, wear proudly
So, you are right, they should have had plenty of time to look into how to contact family members
As I stated in an early post, regarding the families wishes, all families should have been asked (so they contacted parents and not the widows in some or most cases and only a handful at best) IF for any reason there was not an agreement between the parents and the widow ... scrap it! It will, and probably is going to, cause issues in the family connection ... and lets remember in a lot of cases CHILDREN are involved!
As a mother of children who ask alot of questions, my heart breaks for the children who might ask questions about this event and why their Daddy's name is being used or what it all means .... I know that this might not happen ... but WHAT IF???
Keep wearing your RED on Fridays, wear proudly
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MCG said:
As a fairly senior member of Army.ca, I want to add my voice.
I know little about Red Fridays Foundation of Canada and what it has done or plans to do. That being stipulated, I'm a bit concerned about the possibility that this thread might go from being a legitimate way for some very concerned individuals to express their concerns and change into a dogpile.
Dogpiles have their place, I guess, but gratuitous attacks, etc, are not the Army.ca way, in my opinion.
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First I have to say that I Concur with most of what has been said here.
I am a little confused about a couple of things. The first is simple, why is a Red Friday Rally being held on Saturday. Should it not be a red Saturday rally?
Second is a little more important in my mind. I thought the Red Fridays were in support of the serving troops. Truly nothing against the families of the members KIA, but they are not the troops. In the same manner, the Red Fridays are not for the families of the lucky members who have returned. Why has this rally been made all about the KIA members and their families.
I am a little confused about a couple of things. The first is simple, why is a Red Friday Rally being held on Saturday. Should it not be a red Saturday rally?
Second is a little more important in my mind. I thought the Red Fridays were in support of the serving troops. Truly nothing against the families of the members KIA, but they are not the troops. In the same manner, the Red Fridays are not for the families of the lucky members who have returned. Why has this rally been made all about the KIA members and their families.
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Thank you Weinie!!!
Just a point of interest to anyone in the area... Tomorrow in Bowmanville there will be a "Durham Support Our Troops Rally"
in conjuction with Canadian Forces day which is being held at
Clarington Fields, 2375 Baseline Rd. W. beginning at 11:30am
"The event features guests from the Canadian Forces, local community organizations and the Ontario Regiment. A Legion pipe and drum band and the Clarington Concert Band will be performing......
The day will feature a barbecue, music, military speakers, displays, and bands.......Participants in the rally include The Ontario Regiment RCAC, local cadet units, the Clarington Concert Band, former residents of Afghanistan and more"
Just a point of interest to anyone in the area... Tomorrow in Bowmanville there will be a "Durham Support Our Troops Rally"
in conjuction with Canadian Forces day which is being held at
Clarington Fields, 2375 Baseline Rd. W. beginning at 11:30am
"The event features guests from the Canadian Forces, local community organizations and the Ontario Regiment. A Legion pipe and drum band and the Clarington Concert Band will be performing......
The day will feature a barbecue, music, military speakers, displays, and bands.......Participants in the rally include The Ontario Regiment RCAC, local cadet units, the Clarington Concert Band, former residents of Afghanistan and more"
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Harley Sailor said:
Harley, we are not sure why the focus is being put solely on those who have been KIA. That's a good questions to ask a rep from the Red Friday's Foundation.
As for the Saturday part, unfortunately plans cannot always accommodate a Friday event, therefore Saturday (or other days of the week) is used to commemorate Red Friday. If that makes any sense at all.. ???
One would think they would call it a Red Saturday or a Red Tuesday or whatever, but because the actual campaign itself is "Red Fridays", I gather people like to stick to that official name..... (my thought's only)
I would however like to clear up one misconception... The Red Friday's campaign was established to show support for the troops AND their families, as sacrifices are made by both.
Harley Sailor said:
Red Fridays, or the act of wearing red on fridays, is about more than showing support for our deployed troops (land, sea, air) it's about ALL of our CF members and of course thier families (those who wear the invisible uniform)
It's also more than just showing 'Support'
it's about saying all those things we might never get the chance to say to a soldier (if we are not personally know any) things like 'Thank you' 'thinking of you and your family' 'we are proud of you and what you are doing' ETC ...
I was quoted once for saying 'Wearing Red is like giving our military the round of applause they deserve'
Red Fridays is about alot of things ... each person who wears red, does so for thier own reasons ... but the idea is pretty much the same
it's about showing our militiary families our support, appreciation and our pride
As for the Saturday thing ... I think Lady Sierra covered that
Loachman said:
Thanks. I'm glad I signed on here. I really didn't know what to think when I read the SUN the other day. But, I am participating for the reasons I stated & my friend is very happy that we are doing this.
The last thing I'd want to do is upset a family member of friend of our military by showing my support.
Now if the weather will just co-operate a bit.
Thanks again for the feedback, it does matter.
Regards
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Agent13, Showing your support should NEVER upset anyone.
I hope you continue to show your support in the future, your friend will appreciate it as will all other forces member's and families.
Enjoy you day tomorrow!!
Cheers.
I hope you continue to show your support in the future, your friend will appreciate it as will all other forces member's and families.
Enjoy you day tomorrow!!
Cheers.
