An army of volunteers polished off vintage World War II jeeps, trucks and other military vehicles that will be part of a special commemorative procession in Oshawa on Friday. It will see remnants of past wars and conflicts driving away the veterans who once served in them, along with their family members and the public. “We’ve had people contact us who travel for hours to come to this parade specifically to see these vehicles,” says Ontario Regimental Museum Executive Director Jeremy Blowers. “There’s an emotional bond with them.” A Model T truck from the First World War will lead the procession, which is organized by the Ontario Constitution Museum. It has the largest collection of operational military vehicles in North America. “It keeps the story alive,” Blowers says. The museum features tanks, armored personnel carriers, Humvees, scout cars and other wheeled military machines — so many that they fill a huge building in Oshawa where the smell of motor oil is ever-present. More than 130 are drivable and span from the First World War era to the present day, including M4 Shermans and German Leopard tanks. Canadian veteran Phil Martin served in Cyprus and is among the 150 people who volunteer at the museum. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of this,” he says. “When the ground rumbles under your feet, it’s a heart-pounding event – if you’ve never seen it, you only have to experience it once.” The collection began in 1980 after a group of military retirees formed a club and acquired several Ferret scout cars to drive in Memorial Day parades. Other vehicles have been added, including tanks, and have expanded greatly over the past decade. The museum hosts tank weekend events during the summer, including mock battles, and offers tank rides. It used to be called one of Oshawa’s best kept secrets, but the events now draw large crowds and word has gotten out. The museum is currently fundraising to build an even bigger facility to house even more military vehicles. The interior of the Ontario Constitution Museum “It started as Canadian vehicles and has since expanded to those of our allies and others around the world,” says Blowers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have not participated in a parade since 2019, and unlike previous processions, this one will not include tanks. “I’m glad he’s back,” says volunteer Richard Bennett. “He’s always been a source of pride for us here.” A Model T truck, widely used by the British and American armies during World War I, will lead the procession in Oshawa, Ont., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. Volunteer Jessica Freeman-Mason is a 12th grade student. The seventeen-year-old would like to join the army after she graduates and feel that the work they do is important. “Because everyone probably has a veteran in their family, and it’s incredible to learn about all the history,” Freeman-Mason says. Pictured is a Gulf War Land Rover. Mike Rashotte has been a volunteer at the museum for 11 years. As he drove around preparing a 1950s military Jeep for the parade, he said it’s a way to show thanks and respect to veterans as their numbers continue to dwindle. “It’s important to us to keep the legacy alive,” says Rashotte. “We are the benefactors of their sacrifice and it is the least we could do.” Ferret detection cars in 1981 WWII Willy’s Jeep Many of the vehicles on display, including a Chevrolet wireless radio truck from WWII, were built locally in Oshawa. “Canada built over 800,000 military vehicles during the Second World War,” says Blowers. “So Canada alone built more military vehicles than all the Axis powers combined.” Canadian military truck and other vehicles made in Canada The exterior of the Ontario Constitution Museum
