There were similar victory parades all over Canada when divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force finally returned. In Toronto, the procedure was for the soldiers to arrive by train at the North Toronto Station (now virtually downtown) where crowds greeted the soldiers, followed by a march down Yonge Street and along Lakeshore to the Exhibition Grounds near Lake Ontario. Here the soldiers were formally discharged after the officals made their speeches, followed by some paper work afterward. It is astonishing how quickly the men were returned to civilian life without any fuss over the war's effects. You received a button you could wear on your civilian clothes indicating you were a returned soldier.

The victory parade featured General Pershing, and ran up Pennsylvania Avenue from the Peace monument near the Capitol to Nineteenth Street.

I'm really diggin' on the lady in the center next to the nurse.

My father-in-law made Armistices Day very real to me. He had fought in the "War to end all wars." Every year on the 11th hour of the 11 day of the 11th month we were reminded of those that had sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom. I have portions of his diary from that time. I can only say, "Pray for Peace."

As of 11-11-09 one WWI veteran survives.

This veteran immediately recognized that Big [Red] One on the program being held by the tough guy on the stretcher. The First Infantry Division was organized in 1917.

http://www.baystatemilitaria.com/WWI/WWIpaper.htm

http://www.baystatemilitaria.com/WWI/DSCN5048.JPG

A page of related items, and an image of the well-worn booklet the soldier is studying.