[J.P. Brescacin]

Well the event is now history. The weather scared us in the morning but it held off during the parade and display.We didn't get quite the numbers of vehicles we had planned but I don't think the veterans cared. There were lots of smiles, the odd tear, and many thankful ladies and gentlemen that deserved the best we could give them. All in all not bad for a first effort.
One lady told me about how she had come here from Nova Scotia with her 4 brothers who then all went off to war, none returned. She never went back and was so pleased that someone was finally honouring them. Another had been at the Armouries when her husband had marched off to war and he too never returned. She too was upset that prior to this event there had been no local recognition of their sacrifice. One of our local MPs, Joe Comartin, who was instrumental in helping pull this off, said a few words at the riverfront. He had done his homework and found out that Windsor had never, ever honoured their returning veterans. Not at wars end, 10 years after, 20..., 30...never. What a disgraceful way to treat these young men and women who went off to war and did what they had to do so that we now could enjoy the many priviledges that we do.
Many thanks to RSM Kirk Drew, Tim Gillies, Joe Comartin and Sheila Swinton for pulling it all together. Also to fellows like our own Stewart Loy, Ed Landstrom, Eugene Puttman, the Papaks and many others who gave up days of work so that everyone present could enjoy their vehicles and equipment.
Next year, the Italian Campaign Veterans will be the honourees so please try and prepare your stuff so that their sacrifices will also be recognized and honoured.
PS- Jeeps and carriers are cool but there's nothing like a Sherman clanking down the road. Thanks OMVA.