Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario
Their flag-draped caskets arrived at Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Eastern Ontario where their family members waited. Following a repatriation ceremony on the tarmac, the bodies were transported to the Centre for Forensic Sciences in Toronto. The procession travelled 172 km/107 miles west on Highway 401.
Soldiers' Repatriation Services
About thirty people including two police officers stood on a nearby overpass and saluted as the four hearses and accompanying vehicles passed underneath. They had watched the repatriation service on television and spontaneously decided to go to the bridge to show their support. That display of respect that started as a grassroots movement grew into something much larger -- The Highway of Heroes.
More and more people gathered on the overpasses along the route as the death toll increased among Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. The gatherings became a powerful expression of support for the soldiers and for their families. Hundreds of people now gather to observe each sad procession – families with their children, business people, farmers, paramedics, firefighters, police officers, and members of the Canadian Legion. Their message is simple, emotional, and powerful.
Support the Troops
People have stood for as long as three hours during rainy or cold evenings, or when the sun is setting, waiting. There are no complaints, only the sharing of stories and expressions of great sadness. When the lights of the procession come into view, someone will say, “Here they come”, and everyone becomes silent. Then, as one, the people wave Canadian flags as a message to the families in the procession that they are there for them. Some people hold home-made signs, others wear red Support the Troops shirts.
As the movement grew, firemen in full uniform stood beside their fire trucks on every one of the approximately fifty overpasses. Along the side of the Highway of Heroes, truckers saluted beside their parked rigs and elderly people, hands on their hearts, stood beside their cars. Police officers in each district, and emergency measures people were also there, as were elderly veterans in full uniform. As the convoy passed through the streets of downtown Toronto, people stopped to acknowledge the soldiers’ journey.
Amazingly, from the limousines someone waves at the onlookers to acknowledge their support, or a soldier in one of the vehicles waves a beret to show that the connection is made.
Highway of Heroes Designation
As a result of the increased number of participants, an on-line petition successfully convinced the Provincial government to rename that section of the highway. There was no opposition to the renaming which was implemented very quickly. Officially known as the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway to honour two of Canada’s Fathers of Confederation, the section from Trenton to Toronto received the additional name, ‘Highway of Heroes’ in September 2007. Highway 401 did not lose its official designation.
There are large signs at the Glen Miller Road exit at Trenton and the route’s end at Toronto as well as beside the Highway 115/35 entrances. At every interchange on the Highway of Heroes there is a shield beside the smaller 401 signs.
Highway of Heroes Route in TorontoExit 401, south on Don Valley Parkway, exit at Bayview ramp, west on Bloor Street, south on Jarvis Street, west on Wellesley Street, south on Bay Street, east on Grenville Street to #26.
Kathleen Airdrie - Kathleen has thirty years' freelance writing experience covering history, biographical profiles, environmental and social issues
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