Grey Cup 2010/Parades/Social Networking

Hey everyone - this past weekend has been super busy for Canadian Heroes!!! We've had Ken travel all the way out to Alberta in Car #1 for Grey Cup stopping at various spots along the way, meeting with families. The overall experience has been wonderful and people love the initiative and many photo ops have taken place. We were in 3 parades this past weekend - and of course Ken drove in the Grey Cup parade in Edmonton - we truly made it a cross Canada experience - literally. If you don't know already here are the links in which you can follow Canadian Heroes and see what were up to, and if you ever do see us make sure to stop and say hello!!!

Until next time...cheers...

-Marco

Blogger:

http://canadian-heroes.blogspot.com/

You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/OurCanadianHeroe

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Canadian-Heroes/190791324553

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/canadianheroes

Canadian Heroes Memorial Car #2 visits the famous Albion Falls in Hamilton

In the background you can see the old grindstone from the old mill
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Memorial with Flanders Fields poem

This is hanging on the Royal Banks building next to the cenotaph in Preston
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Preston Cenotaph

I stopped by this afternoon on my way to Kitchener. Its very nice and has a park behind it as well
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

The Canadian Heroes Cars at the cenotaph in Brantford

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

The Birthday Boy Ken Mitchell

Ken Mitchell from my old battalion had a special birthday here he is with the new Canadian Heroes Car as we get ready for the Hamilton Santa Claus Parade and the Hamilton Bulldogs Support our troops event!!!
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

3 minutes...

So its the day after Remembrance day. I want to say that the folks at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum put on an excellent ceremony. It was an experience to say the least. I had some great conversations with some great individuals - like the two former Navy officers who served on the H.M.C.S Bonaventure. It was a full house at Warplane, seats were filled to the max aswell as standing room. I have uploaded the photos to our Facebook group, which can be viewed here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=325922&id=190791324553

The one moment that clearly stood out for me that sent a chill down my spine was the flyby - the room was silent then all of a sudden vrooooooom the Lanc had flown by and echoed throughout the building. WOW unbelievable...

There was a plethora of photographers there, snapping away at the event and one individual had stood out.

At the end while everyone was leaving I was where the Canadian Heroes vehicle was and this gentleman had approached the area aswell. I said to him "did you get any good pix"??? We started chatting for awhile and I introduced myself as did he and his girlfriend. Well Edd & Seika it was a pleasure to meet you. I later added Seika to my facebook and today she had posted a video that Edd had created from the photos he had taken yesterday. I encourage that anyone reading this to WATCH this video - I absolutely think that Edd captured the days event and put it together gracefully. View the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mit1O-Gc8oc

Now about the title "3 minutes"...

I had to drive the Canadian Heroes vehicle back home - so while everyone had left, chairs removed it was time to leave. Then that little lightbulb went off in my head - earlier before the ceremony I had taken a few pictures of the Lancaster outside - and I thought wouldn't it be great if I could take a pic of the Canadian Heroes car posing beside the Lanc? I asked Tony - who was the director of the event - who was absolutely great - thank you Tony, if I could in fact pull off my great idea! Sure enough he agreed and I had 3 minutes... I pulled the car up beside the plane, put together my camera and away I went. I was in the zone as I like to call it...In my mind I knew how I wanted it to look and sure enough 48 pics later I had my one shot that I am proud of...It goes back to you never know unless you ask...

So in closing another November 11 has passed - but that doesn't mean we should wait till next November to remember our soldiers/vets/fallen - it should, no has to be a daily occurrence in some way shape or form...Thanks again...

-Marco

A privileged experience...

The last few weeks, leading up to tomorrow have been a whirlwind to say the least. My experiences will last a lifetime. My name is Marco and I am the graphic artist/photographer for Canadian Heroes.

When I first started working for Mr. Ecklund., for the Canadian Heroes initiative I knew it would be something great, and sure enough it has been. I myself do not have family members that have - or currently are in the military so I can't really say I have that "emotional" connection to the Canadian Forces, I was wrong.

Like I said the last few weeks have been amazing. I have seen first hand at what this initiative can and will continue to do for those who have served, are serving and to family members who have lost their loved ones. It is something I can't really put into words of what I have experienced, but am proud to be a part of.

Today I was at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum dropping off the newly wrapped Canadian Heroes vehicle, the staff was setting up for tomorrow's service and in the midst of it all - there she was the Lancaster sitting peacefully. I had to take a moment to realize exactly what I was looking at - and the significance of it all. I had to capture the moment and sure enough I did. This plane as big as it is and the overall "wow" factor was incredible to say the least.

I have never been to a such an extensive service for Remembrance Day as I am about to encounter, yet looking at how many seats there are to be filled for tomorrow, I can honestly say it will be an emotional event...I want to continue to meet and thank the veterans, those who have lost loved ones, not only for our freedom but for our country and take a moment to just say thank you...

-Marco