Canada: Divine Land Marching Band Commended for Parade in the Rain

The Toronto Divine Land Marching Band received a letter of thanks from organisers of the Brampton Christmas Parade on November 19th, 2008. The letter express gratitude for the band's terrific performance during the Christmas Parade in the previous Saturday in spite of bad weather.

Divine Land Marching Band is warmly received during the cold, rainy Christmas Parade

The letter praised the band members for their great endurance and wonderful performance despite the rainy and cold weather. It said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" The organiser also invited the band for next year's parade.

On the day of the parade, the Divine Land Band participated in three parades, the last one being in Brampton.

Jiang Fan, head of the band, told the reporter, "It was a test for all the band members. We had already participated in two parades in the rain that day. Everyone was soaked from head to toe. The parade in Brampton started at 5:00 p.m, and we had to wait in the rain for more than an hour before the parade started. The parade spectators donned umbrellas and raincoats. They rewarded us with warm applause. We were cold and hungry, but we all held on to the end. The organiser of the event sang high praise for us."

Eleven-year-old Jeffrey is the youngest in the band. He plays the trumpet. He said, "I was cold, hungry and soaked all over. My lips turned so stiff that it was hard to play. But I was encouraged upon seeing the spectators with umbrellas."

Ma Tian plays the piccolo. He said, "It was the first time I have had such an experience. In the past, I had played while it was snowing, but this time, three parades were all in the rain. My gloves were completely soaked. It was a true test. But so many spectators watched the parade in the rain that I was excited. It was worth it!"

Ms. Jia came to Toronto from China not long ago. It was the first time she had participated in a parade. She said, "I am very proud to be a member of the Divine Land Marching Band! I was driven by something special and powerful throughout the parade. I was energised. I strained my ankle not long ago, and I was a little worried if I could make it. But when I saw so many spectators, the only thing in my mind was to spread the benefit of Falun Dafa to more people. I totally forgot about my ankle."