Friday, July 1, 2011

DTN News - CANADA DAY NEWS / AFGHAN WAR NEWS: Canadian Soldiers Celebrating CANADA DAY In Kandahar

Asian Defense News: DTN News - CANADA DAY NEWS / AFGHAN WAR NEWS: Canadian Soldiers Celebrating CANADA DAY In Kandahar
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - July 1, 2011: Many of the Canadian combat troops deployed in southern Afghanistan celebrated their final Canada Day in the war-torn country Friday, as they prepare to return home by the end of the month.

The festivities were held at Kandahar Airfield, which soldiers have been streaming into from forward operating bases as Canada begins to withdraw from combat nearly a decade after entering the war.

There were a number of events planned for the troops' last Canada Day in the southern province, where they've had a presence since 2005.

Many special guests entertained the soldiers at a concert Friday evening, including Quebec comedians Andre-Phillipe Gagnon and Rick Mercer.

The occasion was also one of the few in which troops were allowed two beers and barbequed hamburgers, adding to the festive mood.

But there was also a sense of pensiveness among soldiers eager to return home.

"It's been a long tour," said Cpl. Kevin Bernier-Drolet.

Miniature Canadian flags lined the windshields of vehicles as soldiers lined up at an on-base Tim Hortons where employees gave all troops -- including Americans -- red and white maple leaf ball caps.

Mike Smith, better known as "Bubbles" from the Trailer Park Boys, made an appearance at the military base. The bespectacled character was spotted handing out iced cappuccinos to soldiers.

He said he was happy to see Canadian troops "give'in her and gettin' things done," but that he felt more at home living in a trailer park.

"I won't forget the heat and the dust and the sheer scale of everything going on over here," Smith said.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke and defenceman Luke Schenn were also spotted signing hockey gear.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay read a message from Prince William and his wife Kate before the concert got underway.

The royal couple, who were in Ottawa for the Canada Day festivities, said they wanted to thank Canadian troops from the bottom of their hearts.

"This has not come lightly," their message read. "Because the Canadian Forces are always to the fore, the sacrifices have been great. They have made a difference to the lives of the many thousands who most needed assistance through compassion and humanity."

Soldiers weren't shy about displaying their patriotism, and many gravitated to CTV's cameras to send their families Canada Day greetings.

"To everyone back home, thanks for supporting us, hope everything's good back there," said one young corporal.

Another officer, originally from Petawawa Ont., waved at the camera excitedly to assure her relatives that she'd be home soon.

"My family and everybody's in Kingston," she said. "I'll be home in two weeks."

While many Canadian troops will be coming home, hundreds of other military personnel will remain in Afghanistan after the end of the combat mission.

They will be helping to train the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, which will together take responsibility for the security of Afghanistan once NATO forces exit the country in the years ahead.

NATO countries hope to hand over responsibility to the Afghan security forces by the end of 2014.

In an interview with The Canadian Press on Friday, MacKay acknowledged that many Canadian soldiers he had spoken to in Afghanistan wonder whether their hard work will outlast the combat mission.

"So much of the future of this country will rest with the Afghan government itself and its capacity to continue the good work of Canada and our ISAF partners," MacKay said.

"Will it hold, is the enduring question."

With a report from CTV's Lisa LaFlamme and files from The Canadian Press

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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

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DTN News - CANADA DAY NEWS / THE ROYAL FAMILY NEWS: William and Kate on Canada Day In Ottawa

Asian Defense News: DTN News - CANADA DAY NEWS / THE ROYAL FAMILY NEWS: William and Kate on Canada Day In Ottawa
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO / OTTAWA, Canada - July 1, 2011: A shining sea of red and white well-wishers cascading over Parliament Hill is welcoming Prince William and Kate to Canada's birthday party.


Tens of thousands of spectators, festooned in all manner of Canadian colours, jammed the streets of Ottawa and the fields beneath the peace tower to greet the royal couple on Day 2 of their first official overseas visit.

They erupted in cheers when the landau bearing the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge rolled into view, then clamoured for handshakes as they strolled along the red carpet.

The din and smoke from a 21-gun salute filled the streets outside Parliament as Governor General David Johnston inspected the honour guard, the skirl of bagpipes in the background. The prince and his wife stood alongside the Centennial Flame as the band played the national anthem and “God Save the Queen.”

Kate was resplendent in Canadian colours — a cream dress by Reiss, complete with the Queen's Maple Leaf brooch, and a brilliant red fascinator by Sylvia Fletcher at Lock and Co. — while William wore an understated blue suit with red tie.

“Kate, you're beautiful,” one spectator bellowed. “Will and Kate,” others chanted.

The brooch, on loan from the Queen, is a diamond brooch in the form of a maple leaf that was first worn by Princess Elizabeth on her first visit to Canada in 1951, and again last year on Canada Day.

Earlier, the royal couple kicked off the day's events by presiding over a Canada Day citizenship ceremony, with hundreds of spectators gathered outside the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Que., just across the Ottawa River.

Parliament Hill was a checkerboard of red T-shirts, big hats and signs proclaiming love for the royal couple, who will see performances by Newfoundland band Great Big Sea, Quebec's Sam Roberts Band and YouTube sensation Maria Aragon.

Souvenir stands are also already popping up downtown, one selling a replica of Kate's engagement ring, which once belonged to William's mother Diana, the late Princess of Wales.

Today would have been Diana's 50th birthday.

On Thursday, throngs of delighted fans were on hand to greet the duke and duchess before they took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in the heart of the city's downtown core.

That was followed by a walkabout among the thousands of people lining the memorial square, many of whom had begun lining the streets several hours before the royal couple's arrival.

“Catherine and I are so delighted to be here in Canada, instilled in us by our parents and grandparents, who loved this country,” William told a welcome ceremony at Rideau Hall.

“We've been looking forward to this moment for a very long time. And before we were married, we had a longing to come here together.”

The duke and duchess will remain in Ottawa until Saturday, before travelling to Montreal, Quebec City, Charlottetown, Yellowknife and Calgary. They will leave for California on July 8.


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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

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DTN News - CANADA DAY NEWS: DTN News Wish All Friends And Canadian A Happy & Sparkling Canada Day

Asian Defense News: DTN News - CANADA DAY NEWS: DTN News Wish All Friends And Canadian A Happy & Sparkling Canada Day
DTN Canada Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 1, 2011: Canada Day is celebrated on July 1st across the country. July 1st marks the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada - that's the technical explanation, but Canada Day also means fireworks and the year's biggest national party. The Canada Day holiday is akin to the U.S. July 4th celebration but on a more Canadian scale.


What To Expect on Canada Day - Schools, banks, government offices and many other stores and businesses are closed on July 1st. Call ahead to restaurants, stores and tourist attractions to confirm Canada Day hours.

Typically, Canada Day celebrations include parades, fireworks, barbecues and other get-togethers. Get the complete Canada Day Checklist, including lyrics to O Canada in French and English.


*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

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