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Welcome warriors
Wednesday August 13 2008
 
On Saturday (August 16) dozens of war veterans will stage a march through downtown Georgetown.
This year it would be nice if they had one thing they haven’t in previous years— an appreciative audience.
While local residents do a good job in honouring our veterans and peacekeepers each November on Remembrance Day, the annual Warriors’ Day Parade in downtown Georgetown has occurred in relative obscurity.
Since 1981 American Legion Post 40 members from Plymouth, Mass. have made the trek to Ontario to take part in the Warriors’ Day Parade at the Canadian National Exhibition as the invited guests of Georgetown Legion Branch 120 members. Since 1979, the Georgetown Legion’s colour party has taken part in the Memorial Day parade in Plymouth.
This bond between Canadian and U.S. veterans only grew stronger in 2003 when the CNE parade was cancelled due to the Ontario power blackout. An impromptu Warriors’ Day Parade was quickly organized and held in downtown Georgetown featuring colour parties and honour guards from both legions. Sadly, the parade, even though it has been held for the past five years, has garnered little local interest.
While some Canadians gnash their teeth at our American friends’ often feverish flag-waving, chest-thumping patriotism— the Plymouth Memorial Day parade in May traditionally draws huge crowds that cheer their heroic veterans— perhaps a little of that enthusiasm could rub off on us with a solid turnout by area residents this year.
Saturday’s parade begins at 1 p.m. and forms up on Market St., at the Royal Canadian Legion and travels along Church St. to Main St., north on Main St. to James St., and west on James St., culminating at the Cenotaph in Remembrance Park for a memorial service and a gun salute.
These brave men and women who fought for our freedom deserve more than the curious stares of downtown shoppers. Surely taking an hour out of your day to recognize them for their sacrifices isn’t too much to ask.