Military Church Parade Set for Sunday
Friday, November 1, 2013 @ 12:29 PM
The “Military Church Parade” is relatively new to Prince George, as no one can recall this kind of event being held in the community prior to November of 2011, however, Major Wally McCue, Commanding Officer of the Rocky Mountain Rangers Army Cadets, says the Military Church Parade goes back to ancient Roman times. “ It’s been around for thousands of years, and in the British Army, Commonwealth Armies, the various denominations within the Army would split up, Roman Catholics on one side of the Parade Square, Protestants on the other, and then all others, and off they would march to church. It was essentially the only day off they’d have in the British infantry and Canadian Armies.”
Major McCue says the practice fizzled out after World War II “most nations in the Commonwealth Nations would every so often, maybe one a year, would have a military Church Parade, but it fell by the wayside.”
Three years ago, the first Military Church Parade was held in Prince George after Major McCue approached the Prince George Cemetery, and the Legion “They thought it would be a great idea, because in recent memory one had never been done in Prince George.”
Attendance has been increasing as each year passes “I think the public wants to see something different that kicks off Remembrance Day Week, and that was part and parcel in doing this, my belief is that one day a year isn’t the only time we should be remembering those who lost their lives in service of the Country, so it’s a good precursor to Remembrance Day.”
In preparation for the event, Army Cadets recently placed miniature Canadian flags on all the known veteran graves in the Prince George Cemetery.
The parade this Sunday will start at the cemetery gates and march to the Veterans’ Memorial where there will be a service. The parade route will be lined with the Portraits of Honour flags which memorialize those who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan.
Members of the public who would like to attend, are asked to be on site by 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning.
Comments
Nope… don’t like it one bit. Religion has been the cause of enough wars through-out our history. Even today we have civil wars raging the middle east based on religion factions and their need to control governments (power to rule).
Keep our observances and remembrances of our fallen soldiers the same, and keep religion out of it!
Guess what?! Canada was founded by Christians. Up until the past decade or so we were able to say ‘Merry Christmas’ not ‘happy holidays’. We celebrated Easter and other “Christian” celebrations. As far as I’m concerned (and probably many other Canadians), if you don’t like how Canada and Canadians do things, then LEAVE!
Sorry I’m Muslim, and I am protected by the Human Rights Act of Canada, so I would rather an intolerant Christian like you LEAVE!!!
You must be a hoot at parties, Paople#1.
I’m very tolerant. I don’t ask u to change your customs so I’m sorry if I came across like that. What I have a problem with is when people constantly have issues with how we have done things for years want us to change them because they’re uncomfortable. The military has done Military Church parades in the bigger cities for years. We should be able to put up signs of ‘Merry Christmas’ and I would 100% encourage other Religions to do the same around their special times of the year, as well as find ways to honour Canadian soldiers of Muslim decent in a way you seem fitting. I enjoy how Canada has become a mosaic of cultures, but simply if you don’t choose to celebrate something, that’s your choice. Don’t expect everyone else to change. So again I’m sorry if my previous comment offended you people#1.
I’m very tolerant. I don’t ask u to change your customs so I’m sorry if I came across like that. What I have a problem with is when people constantly have issues with how we have done things for years want us to change them because they’re uncomfortable. The military has done Military Church parades in the bigger cities for years. We should be able to put up signs of ‘Merry Christmas’ and I would 100% encourage other Religions to do the same around their special times of the year, as well as find ways to honour Canadian soldiers of Muslim decent in a way you seem fitting. I enjoy how Canada has become a mosaic of cultures, but simply if you don’t choose to celebrate something, that’s your choice. Don’t expect everyone else to change. So again I’m sorry if my previous comment offended you people#1.
Thank you stitch for acknowledging the fact that there are persons, of other religions, who have fought, and are fighting for our country. Most notably Canadian citizens of Sheik and Hindi faith, who contribute significantly to our military in Canada.
My original comment still applies, if my son decides to join our Canadian military, he will NOT be fighting and laying down his life for our Muslim faith, he will be fighting and laying down his life for our country (Canada), a tolerant, open and accepting country!
If my son should die on the field of battle, I want him remembered as a proud soldier who fought for his country and not our, or anyone else’s, religion!
Stitch, I am a non religious Canadian. I would like you to keep your religion in your home or church. Religion is just make believe anyway. Its kind of embarrassing that people still believe in it.
Findme, that’s too bad you feel that way. But I guess you have ALL the answers to life’s existence and are ok with that. Good for you.
Just as a matter of information, the Canadian Forces are not represented by the different ethnic groups on a per capita basis.
In fact the Cdn Forces have for many years been trying to get the numbers up for the various ethnic groups in Canada without much success. They would prefer to have a better balance in the forces, however it is still around 80% white anglo’s.
“Canadians and especially members of the Canadian Forces grapple with issues of personal faith and spirituality, and attempt to understand the faith and spiritual perspective of others, he said.
âThrough Sikhism I have discovered the values that strengthen resolve, promote decency and encourage women and men to do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason,â said Lt. Vinning.
Sikhs have had a long history of military service. In 1699, the same year the Vaisakhi festival witnessed the first baptism of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji organized a brotherhood of Sikh soldiers known as the Khalsa. He led the Sikhs in many battles for religious independence. Later in 1846, the British Army enlisted the first Sikhs into its ranks.
More recently, Sikhs from BC have pioneered as members of the Canadian Forces. Dr. Lakhwinder Singh was the first Sikh in the Canadian Navy, and Lt. Jasbar Tatla was the first member of the Canadian Air Force to wear a turban.
Lt. Vinning has served with the British Columbia Regiment since 2006, and is currently a Troop Leader in Reconnaissance Squadron.
âI am extremely proud the Canadian Forces will be celebrating Vaisakhi with the community,â he says. âCanada is one of the most diverse countries in the world and our military shows this.â
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I do agree with Palopu, the Canadian Forces have been missing their visible minority recruitment targets over the past few years.
However, the Canadian Forces recognizes it must be more reflective of the ethnically diverse country and society they are required to defend and fight for.
People#1 – being a muslim is not a “visible minority”. It is a religion.
You can’t have it both ways.
And yes, you are protected by our human rights laws in Canada. Isn’t it too bad that those same protections don’t cover Christians and other religions in a muslim country.
The key is in the last sentence of the article … “Members of the public who would like to attend” … we are free to make a choice, it is in invitation, not an order … this, to me, represents the precise freedom that the Canadian Forces strives to protect … while this parade does not represent my personal religious beliefs, I totally respect the freedom of choice for those that it does … it all about respect, choices and freedoms …. my thoughts are with all the family members and friends that have a lost or injured Forces family member within their circles.
Those who think every governmental and commercial enterprise should be represented by a proportionate amount of people based on skin colour or religion just don’t get it.
They should be hired on basis of ability to do the job. The moment we start to fill job vacancies based on minority quotas instead of performance, we start to lose sight of the purpose of the occupation and the overall quality of performance deteriorates.
Ethnicity ought to have nothing to do with hiring practices, either for or against the person(s) involved.
If you read Palopu’s first comment, which I was responding to, you would realize Palopu uses the term “ethnic groups”.
So I changed to palopu’s topic about ethnic groups and now you to assume I do not know the difference between religion and ethnicity? Well is that not just typical of you?
As for Canada protecting Muslims under human rights, but christians and others are not protected in muslim countries, Senegal and Bangladesh are both Muslim countries that are very liberal and tolerant. In fact Islam, in it purest form, is a very tolerant religion, it is extreme views and applications of Islamic laws that lead to intolerance and violence.
It would be the same as some radical christians believing all other religions are wrong, that can be just as intolerant. Your statement assumes ALL Muslim countries are intolerant and violent towards other religions, that is just plain not true!
I would love to debate you on Islam (the very word means “submission” – the subjugating of all who are not muslim), but this is not the site for such.
To be straight, the more radical a Christian is, the more like Jesus Christ they would be. The more radical a muslim is, the more like Mohammed they are.
What an “intolerant” comments you have made jetstream!
Thanks for the exchange stitch, but I take my leave of this discussion, the intolerant hawks are arriving, and I want no more part of this discussion.
Agreed
A conversation in the tolerant society:
Person 1: I am a tolerant person.
Person 2: What does that mean?
Person 1: I am tolerant of all views.
Person 2: Good. My view is that I don’t agree with your view of tolerance. Will you tolerate that view?
Person 1: No! We are a tolerant society and tolerate all views.
Just sayin’….
“Religion” doesn’t cause wars. Lack of tolerance does.
I don’t care what your beliefs or religion you belong to… as long as it is not harmful to myself, my loved ones, my friends and other peaceful people. Unfortunately, religion and war have combined for the worst kinds of pain and suffering that have defined human existence.
Because religion is a tool to control the masses, variation in religion can not be tolerated by those holding the puppet strings.
Although recorded 1940 it i stunning how applicable this is today. Thank you Charlie Chaplin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcvjoWOwnn4
Sunday November 3rd is the beginning of Remembrance Week. This parade has very little if nothing to do with religion or ethnic groups. It is simply a part of Remembrance Day Ceremonies. A time to remember the fallen soldiers. Those that fought for our freedoms we enjoy today. The location is perfect as this is where our soldiers rest. Members of the cadets, RCMP, members of the Legion etc will all be marching in uniforms. It is very formal, similar to what takes place at Nov. 11 ceremonies. Last year the flags of courage were displayed along the roadways in the cemetery and was very impressive.
Stitch… Canada was already founded… by the Natives.. Christianity came later and took over
I’m thankful for all those who fought for our freedom so we can now sit here and express our views. Many thanks to the families of various ethnic backgrounds who sent their loved ones to protect us and give us the life we presently have
ohhh heyyy since many people are on this site… WHAT happened to that article bout men’s health??? SUDDENLY disappeared.. Men’s Health not that important anymore??
Religion,isnt tnat what the war in Afganastan is all about. We kid ourslves if we think that this country will ever become a democrcy. Canada has more then 500K in uniform today and for what purpose.
Hope the legion dosent refer to our veterans as”Legionaires” when they are formed up on parade.
Cheers
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