Topic: Highway(s) of Heroes - Merged Thread

[oletrout]

I’m a retired Canadian, ex RCAF, and I create slide shows as a hobby. I have just completed my latest and titled it Canada’s Highway of Heroes.Here’s my intro to the show and links if you wish to view it.

Friday, September 07, 2007 marked the day that a section of Highway 401 was dedicated to our fallen soldiers. Many young Canadian soldiers who have given their lives in the war in Afghanistan have traveled this road. Like most of you, I support our troops and this show titled Highway of Heroes is dedicated to them.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEsJB80R2TM

Also viewable and better viewing , especially in FULL SCREEN MODE. Right click on the picture when it starts and select  FULLSCREEN at:

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewalbum.html?alb=140323

Please feel free to pass it along.

Cheers,

Gerry

[3rd Herd]

"Heroes Trail in Calgary:
http://coffee4ourtroops.com/

This is a petition to the City of Calgary to rename a portion of Macleod trail SE to Heroes Trail. We have lost several soldiers from the Calgary region, including Cpl Nathan Hornburg, Cpl. Mike Starker, and most recently Pte Chad Horn.Cpl. Mike Starker was given a procession through downtown Calgary which passed by city hall on Macleod Trail just before he was laid to his final resting place.

What a tribute it would be for all our soldiers who have been killed in duty in various operations throughout the world to have a section of road named in their honour. By signing the below petition you are stating that you agree with the above and requesting to the city of Calgary that this change be made.

No disrespect to any of the following but if celebrities can get streets named after them, birds (blue jay way in Toronto), Mike Myers in Scarborough, why not name a street in honour of our heroes that make the ultimate sacrifice every day.

Again I am not requesting that the entire street Macleod Trail be renamed, just the downtown portion by city hall. Col James MacLeod was a founding father of the city, served in the military and the North West Mounted Police, served active duty int he defense of Canada, and was an all around great Canadian. To take away his namesake, I believe, would be to gloss over the efforts, contributions and history of some one who definitely deserves it. I'm sure he would approve of sharing the street name with his fellow brothers and current soldiers who are serving on operations around the world. I created this and mean this in no disrespect to the Col James MacLeod or the MacLeod family."

To sign the petition click the following link:
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/HeroesTrail

Further:

"Petition to rename Macleod Trail
Updated: Thu Oct. 23 2008 17:46:42

ctvcalgary.ca
(http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20081023/CGY_Trail_Renaming_081023/20081023/)
Two Calgary men have started a petition to rename a portion of Macleod Trail.


Dave Murphy would like to see a stretch of the road, between City Hall and 4 Avenue, called Heroes Trail. "The current situation over there, we've lost a lot of guys...it's more a tribute to them and their family members and current veterans as well," says Murphy.


Murphy has garnered the support of Nigel Pritchard, a former reservist. The two have started an online petition that they plan to present to City Hall. They hope to have a portion of Macleod Trail renamed for Remembrance Day in 2009.


This isn't the first initiative Murphy has done out of respect for what our troops are doing in Afghanistan. He is also the person behind Coffee 4 Our Troops. "Basically, we sent Tim Horton's certificates to the guys in Afghanistan and we sent just under 23,000 in two years," says Murphy.

To learn more about Murphy's initiatives, or to sign the renaming petition, click on the link for Coffee 4 Our Troops."

[geo]

Ummm... I thought they were working on naming it .... "Veteran's way"

[bradlupa]

If you would like to see what the drive back during the repatriation is like visit Long Ride Home and click on the link that says Click here.


FYI, you will see a Fire truck with the ladder in the air and Canadian Flags on both sides that is Port Hope Fire 198 "the squirt"

The following truck should have FireFighters standing up on top and that would be Station Three of Port Hope

[mariomike]

Toronto Fire Service always sends a significant number of members to the Coroner's Office. They have a station across the street. Toronto Police HQ is also only steps away.
We had a station over the morgue, as it was called then, on Lombard St, but they closed it, and the station, about 20 years ago.
I've never attended when on duty. 
But, I subway to the Coroner's Office from home, in uniform, when off duty. 
I've never been to a bridge, but it's emotional when the family cars crawwwwl by inches from your toes  turning down the garage ramp. The soldiers never fail to come out to shake our hands and allow us to say thank you to them personally. Judging by the desert uniforms, I suspect most, if not wounded, will soon return to combat. I have seen Gen Hillier there on occassion. Retired, so dressed in a civilian jacket and tie, rather than CF uniform. I am sure his presence is a comfort for the families.

[MdB]

I must say that it was very impressive.  Every overpasses had people and I don't remember having seen one without a Fire Service truck.  Once, people let go a couple of doves.  And we've seen more than a few Quebec flags as well.

As it was mentioned, the street leading to the coroner's office was walled with people and there was 20+ Toronto Fire Service members saluting.  Also, the ride in downtown Toronto leading to the coroner's office was pretty emotional as we could make eye contact with people.

All in all, every fallen soldier's families are grateful for this show of support.  Such a great display of respect and caring for our lost brothers and their family.

[211RadOp]

From CTV.ca

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100607/route-heros-toronto-100607/20100607?hub=Toronto

Fallen soldiers honoured with 'Route of Heroes'

Updated: Mon Jun. 07 2010 11:40:52 AM

ctvtoronto.ca

A portion of the Don Valley Parkway and a trail of downtown Toronto streets leading to the Ontario coroner's office have been designated as a "Route of Heroes" to honour Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

At a ceremony Monday, Toronto Mayor David Miller announced the route which will begin at the intersection of Hwy. 401 and the DVP, extending to the Bloor Street exit and along several city arteries which previous convoys have followed.

Processions have typically begun at CFB Trenton in eastern Ontario, traveling along a portion of Hwy. 401 which has been renamed "Highway of Heroes."

David Adamson, a Royal Canadian Legion member, expressed gratitude to Canadian military personnel.

"We owe a debt of gratitude to those who paid the supreme sacrifice, particularly with yesterday being the 66th anniversary of D-Day and the 65th anniversary of the Second World War ending in Europe," he said.

"It was through those sacrifices that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.

"Our Canadian soldiers continue to serve in these missions, particularly in Afghanistan to ensure that these freedoms are enjoyed elsewhere in the world.

"I think Don Cherry says it best: ‘We are the best.'"

Monday's ceremony follows the death of the 147th member of the Canadian military during the Afghan conflict.

Sgt. Martin Goudreault of Sudbury, Ont., died when a makeshift bomb went off on Sunday in southern Afghanistan.

[gerobbins]

I wrote this poem dedicated to our fallen in Afghanistan:


Along the highway of heroes a soldier takes their last ride
A Nation looks on with both sorrow and pride.
In flag draped coffins they travel this long lonely route
As we bow our heads and give a final salute
They gave for our freedom and ask not for one thing, but remember with love
in our anthem we sing.

To their loving families we all feel their great pain, but with a nation's pride  their loss was not in vain.
As another wreath is placed on Remembrance Day, we will never forget the price they did pay.
For these selfless souls another candle we light with a tear in our eyes for our freedom they fight.
Along the highway of heroes a soldier takes their last ride as we praise them and cheer them with both sorrow and pride.

[pbi]

gerobbins: thanks for taking the time to write that. The Highway of Heroes and all it stands for means alot to Canadian soldiers and their families, and your writing reinforces that.

Cheers

[gerobbins]

Our soldiers mean a great deal to me.   Our freedom is only here because of them. 
I can not thank them enough. 

[Hammer Sandwich]

I wrote this poem dedicated to our fallen in Afghanistan:


Along the highway of heroes a soldier takes their last ride
A Nation looks on with both sorrow and pride.
In flag draped coffins they travel this long lonely route
As we bow our heads and give a final salute
They gave for our freedom and ask not for one thing, but remember with love
in our anthem we sing.

To their loving families we all feel their great pain, but with a nation's pride  their loss was not in vain.
As another wreath is placed on Remembrance Day, we will never forget the price they did pay.
For these selfless souls another candle we light with a tear in our eyes for our freedom they fight.
Along the highway of heroes a soldier takes their last ride as we praise them and cheer them with both sorrow and pride.

I  think that was pretty kicKass, gerobbins.

Thank you for putting that out there.

[Mike63]

gerobbins; good work.  It's people like you that take the time to show your appreciation to the troops with gestures like this, that make us proud of what we do or did and confirm the reason why we do it.
Thanks for this.

Mike

[gerobbins]

gerobbins; good work.  It's people like you that take the time to show your appreciation to the troops with gestures like this, that make us proud of what we do or did and confirm the reason why we do it.
Thanks for this.

Mike

You guys are doing a great job and our thoughts are always with our troops.   My gesture is the least I could do for you. 

[milnews.ca]

In keeping with its proud tradition of issuing coins honouring Canada’s veterans and Remembrance, the Royal Canadian Mint today advised members of the Northumberland County Council that a collector coin commemorating the celebrated "Highway of Heroes" and Canada's fallen in Afghanistan will once again illustrate these themes in 2011.

Further to our intention to introduce this coin at a future date, we are pleased to assure supporters of the "Highway of Heroes" that their tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice during Canada's military mission in Afghanistan will be immortalized by the Mint in 2011. This will open yet another window on the milestones, people, places and events which shape Canada's rich and diverse identity, and which the Mint consistently celebrates on its coins.

The Mint will report on the status of this project to the Northumberland County Council in the next four to five months and we look forward to the addition of this collector coin to a long line of Royal Canadian Mint coins honouring the men and women who proudly serve the Canadian Forces.

News release here.

[krustyrl]

BC honours it's Fallen  by rededicating a stretch of the highway.       


http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/index.html?releasePID=A29q4_yRRvk7NI7z7hzOYtvvmHUx4TnU

[milnews.ca]

From a Daily Gleaner editorial, shared in accordance with the "fair dealing" provisions, Section 29, of the Copyright Act.:

Over the last nine years, 157 members of the Canadian military, including nine from New Brunswick, have been killed while serving in this country's mission in Afghanistan.

Such a highway would not only pay homage to all those who lost their lives, but it would also illustrate that we care and that their sacrifices have not and will not be forgotten.

It would also recognize those who died during the First and Second World Wars and the Korean Conflict.

The idea, being promoted by the Canadian Army Veterans motorcycle unit, is based on the Ontario model.

Throughout the Afghanistan combat mission, the bodies of lost military members have returned home to travel a special stretch of roadway between Trenton and Toronto. Thousands of Canadians have lined the road, braving all sorts of weather over the last decade to pay their respects to the soldiers who have made that journey on Highway 401, one of the busiest motorways in North America.

Saint John's Sean Oshaughnessy, a member of the motorcycle unit, which has branches throughout Atlantic Canada, said he would like to see the highway established for a number of reasons, but most of all to recognize all the Canadians who paid the ultimate price.

At this point in time, the group has no specific location in mind as to where the highway should be located, as long as it's somewhere along the Trans-Canada Highway.

One reader suggested a roughly 25-kilometre stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway between the Town of Oromocto and the Village of Gagetown be designated.

The idea makes a lot of sense since it's right next to Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, where soldiers train every day for such missions as Afghanistan.

As pointed out by the reader, once the sign marking the highway becomes visible to motorists and others, it would serve as a tool to make people think and would instil within them a sense of pride and patriotism.

It would also serve as an education instrument for those who are just passing through.

Mr. Oshaughnessy said all the group is pushing for at this point is to get the provincial government to think it over and go with the idea of getting a section of the Trans-Canada Highway designated.

Progress is being made in that regard.

Fredericton-Silverwood MLA Brian Macdonald, the legislative secretary responsible for military affairs, said he thinks establishing a New Brunswick version of Highway of Heroes is a great idea and he said he's even willing to meet and work with the Canadian Army Veterans to bring the idea to fruition.

We also think a Highway of Heroes for New Brunswick is a good idea and we encourage people to get onboard.

Aside from the lost soldiers, four Canadian civilians - one diplomat, one journalist and two aid workers - have also died in that country during the conflict.

The establishment of a highway would not only be a way to honour all those lost, but it would also ensure that we will never forget them.

[Technoviking]

How many "Veterans' Highways" does NB need? We already have one:

"We chose Route 15 to become the Veterans Highway because it passes through the Town of Dieppe, renamed in honour of the sacrifices by Canadian soldiers who took part in the Allied forces raid on Dieppe during the Second World War,'' Lord said.

Route 15 is a major piece of the New Brunswick arterial highway system with about 18,900 motorists travelling over it each day. While the signs will read "Veterans Highway,'' the highway will remain Route 15 on all highway maps.

More on link.

[milnews.ca]

1)  Pulled all the HofH threads into a new merged thread.

2)  Yet another Highway of Heroes:

Maybe, mused Donna Kadash, her cousin was high above the Trans-Canada Highway between Regina and Moose Jaw on Wednesday afternoon, watching what was going on — with all the other angels.

And, in her words, "enjoying every minute of it."

Corp. James Hayward Arnal could not be there himself.

An infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, the young Winnipegger was killed by an insurgent's improvised explosive device as he was on a night patrol in Afghanistan's Panjwaii district in July 2008.

It was such sacrifice, in wartime and peacetime military operations, and also in training, that inspired the province of Saskatchewan to dedicate the stretch of highway between its biggest military base, 15 Wing Moose Jaw, and its capital city as the "Highway of Heroes".

"It's very emotional," said Kadash, struggling to hold back tears as she stood at a provincial government weigh scale just west of her hometown of Regina, where the first "Highway of Heroes" sign was unveiled by Premier Brad Wall. "To have this in Saskatchewan means a lot to me and to my family."

Naming highways in Saskatchewan is not new. East-west Highway 16 is "The Yellowhead" and Highway 2 between Prince Albert and Moose Jaw was named "The Veterans Memorial Highway" in 2005. Highway 11 salutes Metis leader Louis Riel and Highway 13 is "The Redcoat Trail", in honour of the 1874 March West of the North-West Mounted Police.

The idea of the "Highway of Heroes" was advanced by the government's military liaison, MLA D.F. "Yogi Huyghebaert, who heard the idea from a friend. Before entering politics, Huyghebaert was a member of the Canadian Forces. He flew jet fighters and led the Canadian Forces Snowbirds air demonstration team, losing many close friends along the way ....

Regina Leader-Post, 9 Nov 11 - More

[mariomike]

An old thread, but I believe this a an appropriate place.

November 2011
"The Highway of Heroes:
A Toronto EMS Tribute to our Brave Women and Men. These are among the ones willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for your Safety, your Freedom, our Canada! Just take one moment and look onto their faces... Lest We Forget.":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULWMvthfSaA&feature=channel_video_title

[Canadian.Trucker]

My wife and I were coming back from relatives in Whitby and were driving into Toronto on the Highway of Heroes in 2008.  We must have been minutes ahead of a repatriation because every single bridge was filled with people with flags and signs, there were even a few people in pick up trucks in fields off to the side of the highway.  I got chills and goosebumps the whole ride, it was pretty emotional to see the pouring out of support for the fallen soldiers and their families.

We will remember them.

[Jim Seggie]

My wife and I were coming back from relatives in Whitby and were driving into Toronto on the Highway of Heroes in 2008.  We must have been minutes ahead of a repatriation because every single bridge was filled with people with flags and signs, there were even a few people in pick up trucks in fields off to the side of the highway.  I got chills and goosebumps the whole ride, it was pretty emotional to see the pouring out of support for the fallen soldiers and their families.

We will remember them.

It is quite a drive. What month did you proceed down the Highway of Heroes?

[Canadian.Trucker]

It is quite a drive. What month did you proceed down the Highway of Heroes?

The exact day was 23 Aug 2008, it was the repatriation of the 3 Combat Engineers that were killed from 1CER.

[milnews.ca]

Could a Highway of Heroes be a reality for New Brunswick in 2012? If New Maryland's Kent Carswell has his way, it will happen.

Carswell, a member of the Canadian Army Veterans (CAV) motorcycle unit, is pushing the idea. It's based on the Ontario model that pays homage to fallen Canadian soldiers.

Throughout the Afghanistan conflict, the bodies of fallen soldiers travelled a stretch of roadway between Trenton and Toronto. Thousands of Canadians have braved all sorts of weather to pay their respects to the soldiers who have made that journey on Highway 401, one of the busiest motorways in North America.

The CAV's goal is to have a yet-to-be-defined portion of the Trans-Canada Highway designated by early summer, Carswell said ....

Saint John NB Telegraph-Journal, 23 Dec 11