More than 800 troops from Land Force central Area Training Centre Meaford took part in Canada Day celebrations across the region.

"Next to November 11th, Canada Day is the most important day for the Canadian Forces," said Lt. Col. Robert Kearney, Commanding Officer of LFCA Meaford.

"One hundred per cent of our soldiers, whether they are army, air force or navy, are fiercely patriotic. This is a day they can proudly put on their uniform and meet the people they serve."

Lt. Col. Kearney said his troops were at Canada Day events in Collingwood, the Village at Blue Mountain, Thornbury, Meaford, Owen Sound, Wiarton and Sauble Beach.

"We're fortunate at this time of year we have a large number of reservists training at Meaford who can add a Canadian Forces presence to the Canada Day celebration," said Lt. Col. Kearney, adding civilian staff from Canadian Base Operators and the Military Family Resource were also taking part in the day's events.

In Thornbury, troops took part in a Canada Day parade and afterwards set up what they affectionately call "Dog and Ponies," where they show off the tools of their trade including vehicles and weapons. They also handed out Canadian Forces souvenirs like dog tags and painted faces with camouflage.

It's all part of the Connecting with Canadians campaign designed to put a face to the Canadian Forces.

"We're Canada's soldiers and it's important to put a face to these soldiers who could be posted overseas to Afghanistan or anywhere across the country," said Lt. Col. Kearney, as he mingled with the large crowd on Thornbury's main street Tuesday morning.

"Our soldiers live in all of these small towns and the folks in these towns get it - they support our troops and we really appreciate that," he added.