Christine Whelan FEO, November 10, 2022, VOL. 4 ISSUE 6
Highway of Heroes
Symbolizing our collective duty to protect the land and freedom for which our fallen have fought.
After terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001, Canada joined international efforts to secure and rebuild Afghanistan. While participating in our country’s military efforts there, 158 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members lost their lives in service.
According to the Veterans Affairs Canada website, once the fallen CAF members were repatriated to CFB Trenton, Ontario, a very Canadian thing began to happen. As the fallen’s remains were escorted from the airbase to the coroner’s office in Toronto, the public gathered to pay their respects.
Hundreds, and then thousands, of people turned out to stand on the side of the road and on bridges along the 170-kilometre stretch of Highway 401 between the two cities. Together, they quietly offered their respects as the official cars drove past. They reflected on the meaning of the sacrifice and waved Canadian flags in a final patriotic salute to Canada’s heroes.
Soon after the first Canadian soldiers were taken along the route in 2002, it became unofficially known as the Highway of Heroes, which the Government of Ontario made official in 2007.
This stretch of Highway 40 is where Canadians who have died overseas often travel after being returned to our country. The fallen soldiers arrive at the airbase in Trenton and are then respectfully driven to Toronto before being sent on to their final resting places.
Leslie Kinghorn, a member of the Frontier Legion, Branch 71 in Fort Erie, informed, “Originally, the tribute was meant for our military, but all our first responders — police and firefighters — are honoured to the Highway of Heroes. The two officers who were killed a few weeks ago in Simcoe traveled down the Highway of Heroes to the coroner’s office in Toronto.”
In 2014, when Canada’s mission in Afghanistan was coming to an end, a group of Canadians was inspired to transform the Highway of Heroes into a living tribute to Canada’s Veterans.
The Highway of Heroes Tree Tribute
The Highway of Heroes Tree Tribute honours all Canadians who have served during war, conflict, and peacetime since the War of 1812.
In total, the campaign is planting two million trees, one for every Canadian who has served in uniform since the War of 1812. Of these, 117,000 trees will be planted directly along the Highway of Heroes as a living memorial to each military member who died in service.
The tribute can be seen at more than 50 sites along Highway 401, especially between Trenton and Keele Street in Toronto. Yellow tree wraps are used to mark these trees, inspired by the yellow ribbons that are traditionally used to symbolize public support for our troops.
The campaign has installed stainless steel plaques at each of its public planting sites. This includes Canadian Forces Base Trenton; Division Street, Cobourg; Chris Garrett Park, Cobourg; Petticoat Creek, Pickering; Soper Creek Trail, Bowmanville; Farewell Creek Trail, Courtice; and Grafton Playground.
To learn more, visit the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign at www.hohtribute.ca
Highway of Heroes, the Song
Highway of Heroes was written in honour of Canadian Armed Forces Captain Nichola Goddard, who became the first female killed during the War in Afghanistan in 2006. The song takes its name from a stretch of Highway 401.
It was written by band members of The Trews, John-Angus and Colin MacDonald, Goddard was from Antigonish, a little town where MacDonald grew up. His mother was Goddard’s teacher.
The Trews was the band that highlighted the 13 For 13 Event this summer at the Old Fort which brought in thousands.
Poppy Campaign
In the days leading up to November 11, poppies can be seen everywhere in Canada. This show of support and display of remembrance would not be possible without the efforts of thousands of Legionnaires who volunteer to distribute poppies to the community through schools, community organizations, and local businesses.
The campaign is very much a local initiative. It’s conducted by Legion Branches in cities, towns, and communities across the country. Donations collected during the Poppy Campaign are held in Trust at the branch level to directly support veterans and their families within their community and to help ensure Canadians ‘never forget’. Learn more about how your donations help Veterans.
The money that is raised by the campaign goes towards each particular branch to help veterans in that immediate area. Any money that is raised by the Fort Erie branch goes to help out Fort Erie veterans and their families that require a helping hand. Most of the support given to our veterans comes from this fund.
In speaking with a local member, I learned that there is a real need for volunteers to help raise this money. Traditionally, World War vets have stood with the boxes. However, the vets remaining are finding it challenging as they get older.
At the Fort Erie branch, there’s a donation bin for the local soldiers who return from serving. They can come back with PTSD and have lost the roof over their head. When a veteran is in this type of situation, donations are very helpful as a returning soldier’s needs may include clothing, a new apartment, and medication.
Students who need their community service hours at school are encouraged to go to their local Legion and ask where they can help.
Portraits of Honour
The Original “Portraits of Honour” is an oil painting by Toronto-born artist Dave Sopha that is on a canvas stretching 40 feet wide by 10 feet high, featuring the 158 Canadian Soldiers, Sailors, and Aircrew who have lost their lives in Afghanistan. At the top, in the center of the painting is a single white dove that is watching over our fallen.
On both sides of the painting, Dave has painted two, 9 -foot granite monuments. On these monuments, the names of our fallen are carefully painted on, to appear as though they have been carved in the granite. At the top of each monument, a marble looking angel is resting over our fallen names, holding a bouquet of poppies. The fallen on the painting are embraced in a bed of poppies and poppy petals.
Sopha continues to paint, expanding to all our Canadians who have served and fallen.
The Portraits of Honour Foundation has now been established. Donations to the foundation help with the costs of materials, and education and assist in supporting people who suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
Read the rest of this incredible story at portraitsofhonour.ca
This website, in bold, provides our total. To date, Canada has lost 114,485.
We must never forget.
Photo Credit www.flickr.com/photos/christinamatheson/2930466020
