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6-10-08 -- Ahhhh, Toronto -- What a great turnout from the Toronto Fire, EMS, & Police heroes!
Rayanne Dubkov and Paul Beames, 
our hosts at the Toronto Fire Academy were just as friendly and helpful as we could ask.
It was apparent from the moment we pulled up that this was not just a last minute effort. 
From the big welcome on the board, to the banners showing support, to the tables covered with shirts, and all of the messages sent back from the troops who have received these shirts in the past ... It was all perfect!
Inside the group gathered as we shared the program with them. Outside the bbq grill was fired up and the sausage sandwiches smelled great.
The 
Combat Challenge team showed up with a shirt of their own to present, and stayed to enjoy the fun.
Ms Ineeda Medic was again in the line of fire, but this time there was no scope involved. We think she might have been directing the hoseman, but we'd have advised she stand in a different place. 
Before you knew it, the water had sent her tumbling and it took a few of us to wring her out.
We still had another stop to make and we didn't want to show up with her being all soaking wet. Fortunately Rayanne had a great idea, 
and we strapped the lil bear to the tailgate of Rayanne's pickup as we headed to Collingwood. Even with a few light rain showers, Ineeda was nearly dry when we got there.
Now, when we 're on the road, we're always open to learning new things. So imagine how much fun it was to get to see a representation of the first Canadian Fire Truck ... 
Ingenious, I tell you! Ingenious. Hmmm, we'll have to look for the first American Fire Truck to see what we find. lol
We want to thank everyone involved for the great support, and special thanks again to Rayanne & Paul for their outstanding efforts on our behalf. We had a great time -- Hope to visit again in the future!
lj
6-9-08 -- Peacekeeper Park -- This is a work of love in motion. It is the passion of 
Eugene & Linda Smith,
with whom we were pleased to share the stage at the Red Friday Rally in Sarnia just a few days earlier.
Miles away from London, and miles more to Toronto, it sits on a beautiful parcel of lush green earth.
You might drive past it, except the white crosses filling the field draw you. It is a quiet place, or at least it was on the afternoon of our visit.
We were inside the King Marco Mess ... and yes, there IS a story behind that one. The tin roof loudly echoed the rain that poured down on us. The humidity built and the mosquitoes found meals on several of us, but it was worth every bite (maybe not in the moment) to see this memorial to the Fallen Heroes of Canada.
Each of them is named and honored inside the mess. The flag is raised and lowered appropriately, and though they have passed the memories of each are kept alive inside the mess.
We listened to Gene tell of the initial idea and inevitable beginning of this quiet and unassuming tribute. It is truly a growing memorial, and we look forward to seeing it the next time we visit to see the changes made.
We were joined in the beginning of this visit by members of Malahide Fire Services. 
A small cadre, but filled with the spirit of troop support. Another example that you don't have to be a part of a large department to make a difference. Sometimes in fact it is the small town shirts showing up in the desert that causes the biggest stir.
After having our souls refilled, our bellies were next, and Linda put on quite the spread. 
We all ate our fill ... including the yellow ribbon cake treats she made for the event. Nice touch!
We salute the folks involved in Peacekeeper Park!
lj
6-9-08 -- London, Ontario -- This was a return visit to see some of our favorites (Even though Fritz was missing in action) in London.
And this was a new location for us. It was a treat to get to visit Wolseley Barracks. But have to tell you ... it was HOT!!! We thought we'd seen the worst of the heat the day before out at the racetrack ... we were wrong!
We have to give everyone credit for their participation in the events while we were upstairs. There was no air conditioning and most of these guys were in uniforms - a lot of them with body armour. They still did their best to be upbeat and bear with us as we tried to form the words in our heads as our brains melted.
On top of the trip finally starting to catch up with us, a bit of a lack of sleep, and the heat, I 'm afraid these guys did not get our full focus. But no matter, they still hung with us, and played along, and we truly appreciate it. Next time, we're scheduling less heat, k?
Ms Ineeda Medic took one for the team. I didn't see it personally, but I heard it ... And Larry almost hit the deck when they fired. Thank goodness we had qualified emergency personnel on hand to help get her back as good as new -- and you could hardly tell. 
(Well, that's what we told her!)
The soldiers in the Regimental Store were great! They made us feel very special for our mission and what it means to them and their fellow troops ... And we thank them personally!
It was good to see familiar faces ... and Reed (Holland), since we didn't have a centerfold in the book this year, we wanted to give you a little more attention ...
Ladies & Gents, Mr June ...
Thanks for the fun y'all!
lj
PS ... Our next stop was actually General Dynamics, to see one of the facilities where our Strykers are put together. It was a fascinating and educational tour. We would love toshare it with you, but as you might imagine, this is not one of those tours where cameras are welcome. To Ken Yamashita, thank you and your staff so much for your hospitality. We had a wonderful time, and appreciate the time you made for us.
We also appreciate the donation to our cause, and the really nice story written on our visit.
You make us proud to be Stryker families!
lj
6-8-08 -- More time with our Mountie friends from the RCMP Musical Ride ... Could you ask for more?
It was sweltering outside. The stables were like saunas. The Mounties were in their gear as the sun beat down ... And all you saw were smiles. Niiiiiice!
We watched the ride again, and Kevin & Brad were given an amazing honour ... They stood at the finish line for the charge as the horses came directly at them. Had we known in advance, we'd have made sure we had a telephoto lens.
I'm still amazed that neither of them jumped at all as the horses raced toward them.
During the practice ahead of the performance, the Mounties decided they wanted to do a stunt with us. We'd asked if we could have one of the horses step on the bear, but that's not how they roll. There is no one horse, there are more than 32 of them, so they tossed Ms Ineeda Medic into the center of the field and had ALL of the horses take their turn. Some had no interest whatsoever, and avoided her altogether. 
Others were more than happy to leave their hoof mark ... and get a huge round of applause from all of us onlookers.
When the last horse had left its imprint, the commander sauntered over, very casually, 
then reached down, and using his sabre, picked up our tired lil Stunt Bear returning her with the flourish only a Mountie could muster. It was classic, and I can promise you it was a first! Ya gotta love these guys.
Some cool things we learned ... The horses names give clues to the year they were born. The maple leaf on the rear of the horse is actually a water stencil - they brush the hair against the grain and it stands up for a while. Really looks cool to see them up close. Not sure if we got a good shot of it or not, but if I find one, I'll add it right here for you.
We finished the afternoon visiting with the Mounties as they cooled themselves and their horses down.
Our littlest Canadian BadAss, Logan, made an appearance, melting the hearts of every pretty young thing in a stroller that passed by. This boy will go far!
It was a sweltering hot, perfect day!!!
Thank you all!
lj
POSTING IN PROGRESS, STAY TUNED -- For inputs from the crews
6-8-08 -- Operation Bear Drop
Who knew you could mix a small teddy bear, 
a couple pilots with big hearts, 
some Coast Guard members with equally big hearts, and you'd have a great stunt for lil Ms Ineeda Medic (aka the Stunt Bear)
So it was on a sunny morning in Sarnia we packed up our van and headed off to the airport for the start of a really fun stunt.
More to follow, but I wanted to get these up. I'll bet Mark is chomping at the bit to see this one. ( ;
***Actually, I would love to have the air & sea crews do the write up on this one, as I honestly couldn't see it from the shore. So guys ... Whatcha got?
Special thanks to the following heroes for their participation in this one -- it was a lot of fun!
Mark Seibutis (L-16A),
Steve MacDonald (yellow Piper Cub),
Bill Canton (blue Hatz bi-plane)
& Rick West (RV-4...group interceptor.Ha Ha)
Crew members: Jason Blain (bombardier),
Kaleb Obie (navigator-cub).
& Lorie Lucas (ground crew & Kaleb's grandma).
Of course these people are all members of the Reece's Corners Air Force ... The RCAF >>
Personal observation ... The ADORABLE lil guy with the huge brown eyes is Kaleb, and he is just the sweetest young hero I have had the pleasure of working with. This kid should be in magazines ... he is a natural!
The Coast Guard crew ... hmmm ... Jason Bosker was there ... now help me out ... (Kevin?)
Thank you again to all!
lj
6-7-08 --RCMP MUSICAL RIDE
WOW!!! What an amazing sight! We can't even move around getting out of the van without bumping into one another, and here are 32 beautiful black stallions moving with such a grace and fluidity.
Now be advised that you will see a LOT of similar pix in this posting. But, we got to meet the Mounties and wanted to make sure that they got to see themselves as we get to see them during their phenomenal performances.
We watched the practice, and were giddy when some of the Mounties would look over and grin or smile with a little wave at us.
<<They were so gracious, posing for photos with our team, making us all feel so special. What a great, fun group of people.
We wanted to make sure that they knew we were there to honor them, and so of course we presented them with a Director's coin
It is so cool to watch them perform. But we really felt for them. Before we left for Canada we checked the weather forecast and were advised that we could expect temps in the 50's ... And we assumed that Fahrenheit ... wrong!!! We brought cool weather clothing & jackets. OMG!!! We were melting!!!
But we got a chance to feel the weight and thickness of the serge (??) or over jackets that the Mounties wear for their performances. It is amazing they don't fall off their horses from the heat. But much to the contrary, they don't break at all and hot or not, they make it look seamless.
This is a show you want to see if you have the opportunity. And we have it directly from them that they actually do performances in our own Puyallup, at the fairgrounds, every now and again over the years.
Then she took a break, found a couple of those Blue drinks they have in the cans in Canada and next thing you knew she had lost her edge.
Afterwards it was off to pizza and brews with the team. And the final moment of the night was the goal into our van of Ms Ineeda Medic.