Ross:

   As a Veteran myself, I am very happy to see Canadians getting out there and doing somethings to support our troops. I spent 25 years in the Air Force and three years in the Cdn Army (Militia in Belleville Ont.) I spent a vast majority of my Air Force career right here in Cold Lake, AB. 4 1/2 years in Europe and 3 years in Chatham , NB. I retired from the Air Force in the middle of the First Gulf war in 1991.

   I have been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 29 years now and I can say that a vast majority of the Veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Cdn Forces are all very happy to see the support that has been shown to our troops dispite the the efforts of past Governments to suppress it (from Trudeau on).

   You all may not be aware but the Legion (Dominion Command) has started a "Support the Troops" initiative that when a certain amount of money donated by the different Branches across the country, Certificates are printed up and then distributed to the Troops in Afghanistan to be redeemed at the Tim Hortons over there (Khandahar) for a coffee and a doughnut..

   In My branch of the Legion here in Cold Lake, every friday evening is Steak Night. One friday each month is designated for Red Friday and the profits are donated to the Doughnut fund. The last one we had was attended by a minimum of 150 people. We were completely sold out.

Bye the Bye, that is a great portrait. What ever you do, don't let Stan and his bunch see the portrait as he seems to think that they are the only ones that are allowed to do the portraits of our fallen "Grunts" (soldiers). I believe that in actuallity, his group has the rights for those stationed in Namao (Edmonton) only, but because it is a Military thing, it is actually up to the parents and/or spouses to give their permission. The individual unit Commanders may do so on their behalf. I saw some of their portraits that they were showing last year at the tool show and they were not that good.

   Well best sign off as I still have a bunch of work to get done in this old place. Hope it sells soon.

   Have a good one.

Kinosoo Sawyer (aka Lorne)

Sorry I haven't been in here more.  Work work work work work.  I already emailed you about what this pic meant to me Ross but I'll post here too that I'm proud to say I know you.  Well done my friend.  Well done indeed!!

 

Andy

Way to go Ross

Well done indeed Ross.  And way to go Loren for the donut thing.  (Now if we could only get Andy to make good on all his donut turns, we'd be set! lol)

 

Dana