HIGHWAY OF HEROES

Canadians pay respects to Sgt. James Patrick MacNeil on Highway of Heroes, June 25/10

Canadians pay respects to Sgt. James Patrick MacNeil on Highway of Heroes, June 25/10. See link to story and more photos in 'Updates/Related' section below.

I don’t know who to credit for this powerful and incredibly moving presentation of images taken as a funeral procession for Canadian soldiers moved from Canadian Forces Base Trenton to Toronto, but I do thank both Dave Hartless and Jim Anderson for sending it to me. 

As a former soldier and UN peacekeeper myself, I was overwhelmed by both the sadness and the hope conveyed by this presentation. I think you will be, too:

HIGHWAY OF HEROES SLIDE PRESENTATION 

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Highway of Heroes schedule

Notices of the schedule for arrival of fallen soldiers in Trenton can be found on one or both of these two pages:

List of fallen Canadians

From ‘Sunray’: This has been a silent effort that ordinary people supported before the government got involved, rightfully so, in an effort to pay homage to those who serve this great country and make the ultimate sacrifice. 

Here is the link to the Provincial site regarding the “Highway of Heroes”. 

http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/news/Product.asp?ProductID=1689  

My hope is that such a highway will not only be noticed for the men and women who have fallen, but for those who are still alive and have served, and those who travel that stretch of their own free will any time that they so desire. 

VoC Comment

I sent this to my friend, Merlyn Kinrade, who is an ex-Navy man and a former peacekeeper himself. His wife, who couldn’t see what he was watching, asked him why he was crying. Thanks for reminding us that the people lead the politicians, not the other way around.

Mark Vandermaas, Editor
VoiceofCanada
info@voiceofcanada.ca  
 
Updates/Related:   

References

5 responses to “HIGHWAY OF HEROES”

  1. N. Sinclair | August 5, 2009 at 10:00 pm | Reply

    They line the bridges of the Highway of Heroes for the fallen but they don’t line the bridges for those that come home damaged and require the monetary support to keep on living. Until that happens and crowds surround Canada’s Parliament demanding that the troops are forever cared for with full dignity then support for the fallen is belittled and we have no business sending our men and women into such harms way. Excuse my words but saluting the dead in lieu of total financial support is just plain insulting. I mean no disrespect for the fallen.

  2. sunray | January 3, 2010 at 2:14 am | Reply

    Your comments are worthy of notation N. Sinclair. They truly are.

    Canada is repatriating 4 more fallen soldiers and a journalist over the Afghanistan commitment just this last 24 hours and well over a year since your posted comment.

    Little is made mention of the 4 other soldiers who were injured in the same attack but survived.

    ‘We’ seem to have no problem sending our men and women from one of the best places on earth to one of the worst places on earth.

    ‘We’ need to do better for them when they come home alive because we do so much for them when they don’t.

    No one should be forgotten.

  3. Wandawantspeace | June 20, 2010 at 1:07 am | Reply

    We most certainly can do better for those who survive and come back home alive. We seem to forget about them.

    Sunray, where ever you are, thank you for the reminder of what has been given and lost long before Afghanistan happened.

    May every God keep safe the souls who give so much for freedom.

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  5. Jeremy Woodcock | May 27, 2012 at 8:42 am | Reply

    I would like to address Sunray’s comment above.

    ” My hope is that such a highway will not only be noticed for the men and woman who have fallen, but for those who are still alive and have served, and those who travel that stretch of their own free will any time that they so desire.”

    I am in the process of bringing a “proposal” to our men and woman who have served and have not fallen right across Canada, to the people of Canada and to our politicians !! I have “created” a “National Landmark” bridge dedicated to all of our troops, veterans and local heroes!! Please send me a email (request) and It would be a honor to send you a picture of the proposed National Landmark Bridge destined for 401/Highway of Heroes stretch??

    I thank you all in advance and look forward hearing from you soon. Awareness is the key to success!! This proposal (painting) was created in 2010.

    Kindest Regards,

    Jeremy Woodcock
    Founder

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