Tens of thousands of individuals have participated in the Warriors' Day Parade since its inception in 1921 in many different capacities, as members of marching contingents, bands, spectators and volunteers. There are incredible stories to be told both from the current day and from decades ago. This page, 'Parade Stories' is intended as a venue where we can share memories and experiences. We will feature profiles of participating contingents, individual stories, family memories and some fascinating historical events. We hope you enjoy these stories. Please feel free to send us your contributions and suggestions!

On July 27, 2011 Past President of the Warriors' Day Parade Council, and WWII Veteran Don Cameron, was awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation from The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs.. The Commendation is awarded annually to individuals who have contributed in an exemplary manner to the care and well-being of Veterans or to the remembrance of the contributions, sacrifices and achievements of Veterans.

The award presentation program stated, "Mr. Cameron is a Second World War Veteran and Canadian Forces Veteran. He has been an active and tireless member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 65 years. He has been president of Branch #210, acted as deputy zone chair, zone chair, and district chair. Mr. Cameron has also served many years as service officer where has assisted numerous Veterans and their dependents. Today he participates in the Poppy Campaign. As part of the Legion's Remembrance Program, Mr. Cameron visits schools and seniors' residences to speak about Canada's military contributions. On occasion, Mr. Cameron will be at the Naval Reserve Training Division in Camp Borden, in his role as an Honoured Veteran, inspecting the recruit graduates and presenting awards. Mr. Cameron is also past president of the Warriors' Day Parade Council, having been an active participant by attending all executive and general council meetings."

Don was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1920 and immigrated with his family to Canada in 1931. In 1936, he joined the Royal Canadian Signal Corps Reserve and two years later transferred to HMCS York of the Royal Canadian Navy. In September 1939, Don went on active service with the Royal Canadian Navy, serving throughout the war as a communications signaller. Service included convoy duty with the Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships, the destroyer HMCS Ottawa and the frigate HMCS Copper Cliff. Don was released from active service in August 1945 and continued serving with the reserve forces at HMCS York in Toronto.

Don served for 34 years on the Toronto Fire Department, retiring with the rank of Acting District Chief.
Don's credo is, "I will continue to help veterans and their families in every way I can." His actions and decades of diligent volunteer efforts certainly prove this to be true.

Read more about the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation.

posted July 27, 2011

The Toronto Police established their full time Mounted Unit in 1886 to provide a visible police presence in the outlying areas of the city, where prior to this time, police officers were seldon seen. It was quickly apparent that a mounted unit was of great value and additional horses were purchased to expand the unit. As cars began to appear on city streets and the unit was tasked with regulating traffic. Toronto Police sent eighteen of its best horses overseas in World War I for service with the Canadian Field Artillery. Only one of these eighteen horses survived the four years of warfare.

The Toronto Police Mounted Unit has proudly served the citizens of Toronto for more than 123 years. The duties they perform every day throughout the city are just as important today as they were in the beginning. The unit has been an important part of the Warriors' Day Parade right from the first parade in 1921! We are very proud to see them on parade every year.

In 2009, The Warriors' Day Parade established a competition category for Cavalry Units. The Brigadier Memorial Trophy is awarded in this category and is founded in memory of Brigadier, a magnificent horse who was a proud member of the Toronto Police Mounted Unit, tragically struck down intentionally by a motorist in 2006 while in the line of duty.

The Warriors' Day Parade Council proudly salutes the Toronto Police Mounted Unit!

Read an article by Staff Inspector William Wardle, featured in Horse Talk Magazine about the Toronto Police Mounted Unit..........

posted Sep. 20, 2009

The Vietnam Veterans of America
Chapter 20, Rochester, New York Marching Unit

The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 20 of Rochester, New York is the largest, most active, and longest standing local chapter of the national Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., a not-for-profit veterans service organization Chartered by the United States Congress. In 2008, Chapter 20 Marching Unit marked their 22nd consecutive year of participation in The Warriors' Day Parade! For the second year in a row, this proud contingent took home the first place awards in both the Allied and Visiting Marching Formations and Allied and Visiting Units Parade Champions competitions. Chapter 20 have been consistent winners during the past 22 years. The commitment of this contigent in travelling each year to Toronto to participate in the parade is remarkable. A wonderful article about their experiences in 2008 at the parade was published in Chapter 20's October 2008 newsletter, Between The Lines. Thank you to Tim Sturm and Kathleen Gleason of Chapter 20 of The Vietnam Veterans of America for allowing us to make the article available through our website. Members of this contingent tell us each year how much they enjoy visiting Toronto to participate in the parade. We are honoured and delighted to have them and look forward to seeing them proudly marching every August in Toronto for many years ahead! read article by Tim Sturm

posted Feb. 1, 2009