Your blog post

The Red Friday Connection

Red Friday has always been about ordinary people standing up, wearing red, and saying: we will never forget you.

That same heartbeat runs through Canada’s Militia heroes. These weren’t career soldiers. They were farmers, lawyers, students, neighbours. They drilled on weeknights, wore the badge on weekends, and when the nation called, they marched straight into hell. Out of 99 Canadians who earned the Victoria Cross, 33 were Militia. One in three. That’s no accident. That’s who we are.

Three Militia Heroes

Boer War – Major Hampden Zane Churchill Cockburn, VC

A Toronto lawyer with the Governor General’s Body Guard. At Leliefontein in 1900, Cockburn and a handful of men held off wave after wave of Boer fighters to save Canada’s guns. Wounded, captured, but unbroken. That day, the Victoria Cross was pinned on a weekend warrior.

First World War – Brigadier Milton Fowler Gregg, VC

Started in the 8th New Brunswick Hussars. Just a student when the war broke out. At the Canal du Nord in 1918, Gregg led charge after charge through fire, wounded but still pressing forward. His courage carried his men, and Canada, across the line.

Second World War – Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Merritt, VC

A Vancouver lawyer. A Seaforth Highlander of Canada Militia officer. At Dieppe, 1942, he ripped off his helmet, waved it in the air, and walked straight across a bridge covered by enemy fire. He crossed back and forth, rallying his troops. Wounded, taken prisoner, but never bowed. For that, Merritt earned the VC.

Why This Matters on a Friday

Red Friday isn’t just about the uniform. It’s about the spirit of service that runs through ordinary Canadians. Cockburn, Gregg, Merritt — and 30 others from the Militia — showed us that courage doesn’t wait for a paycheque or a rank. It lives in the heart.

So today, wear red. Wear it for the regulars. Wear it for the reserves. Wear it for every family who carried the weight of service. And remember this: ordinary Canadians can do extraordinary things when it matters most.

RED Friday Sign-Off

We wear red because we will never forget.
We honour the Militia, the Regulars, the families.
And we remember the 33 weekend warriors whose courage wrote Canada’s history in fire and blood.

Red Friday is about selfless service — ordinary Canadians standing up for each other. Be that example. Wear red, honour service, and never forget.

#RedFridaytalks #WeekendWarrior #VictoriaCross #MilitiaValor #CanadianHeroes

Credited to Bob McTaggart, RED Friday Field Notes