Highway(s) of Heroes - Merged Thread
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just recorded a CBC radio news interview, website credited 
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51/49
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401 may be renamed Highway of Heroes
Joyce Cassin - Port Hope Police
Local News - Thursday, August 23, 2007 Updated @ 10:53:14 AM
By Joyce Cassin
The stretch of highway between Trenton and Toronto that has been the well-traveled route for funeral processions for Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan may be renamed in their honour.
Premier Dalton McGuinty is considering naming the 172 kilometers of the 401 between Trenton and Toronto “Highway of Heroes”.
In Ontario, when a Canadian soldier dies for his country in Afghanistan, they touch down at Canadian Forces Base Trenton.
From there, a funeral procession leaves the base and heads to Toronto, taking our departed heroes to the Centre for Forensic Sciences where an autopsy is performed.
Along the 172 km path of Highway 401 people fill the overpasses to show their support, waving Canadian flags and signs; paying their respects to the fallen and their families. It's been unofficially dubbed the “Highway of Heroes”.
“For the last month or so when Pete Fisher initiated it, I’ve been working with the Minister of Transportation to make it a reality,” said Lou Rinaldi, MPP Northumberland-Quinte West. “We’re just not sure yet how we’re going to do it.”
He said that he is working closely with Donna Cansfield, Minister of Transportation, to explore different avenues to make it happen. Mr. Rinaldi said that it may have to come in the form of a Private Members Bill, but that can’t happen until after the House resumes sitting.
“You can rest assured that should it have to be a Private Members Bill, I will be bringing it forward as soon as the House sits,” said Mr. Rinaldi.
Joyce Cassin - Port Hope Police
Local News - Thursday, August 23, 2007 Updated @ 10:53:14 AM
By Joyce Cassin
The stretch of highway between Trenton and Toronto that has been the well-traveled route for funeral processions for Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan may be renamed in their honour.
Premier Dalton McGuinty is considering naming the 172 kilometers of the 401 between Trenton and Toronto “Highway of Heroes”.
In Ontario, when a Canadian soldier dies for his country in Afghanistan, they touch down at Canadian Forces Base Trenton.
From there, a funeral procession leaves the base and heads to Toronto, taking our departed heroes to the Centre for Forensic Sciences where an autopsy is performed.
Along the 172 km path of Highway 401 people fill the overpasses to show their support, waving Canadian flags and signs; paying their respects to the fallen and their families. It's been unofficially dubbed the “Highway of Heroes”.
“For the last month or so when Pete Fisher initiated it, I’ve been working with the Minister of Transportation to make it a reality,” said Lou Rinaldi, MPP Northumberland-Quinte West. “We’re just not sure yet how we’re going to do it.”
He said that he is working closely with Donna Cansfield, Minister of Transportation, to explore different avenues to make it happen. Mr. Rinaldi said that it may have to come in the form of a Private Members Bill, but that can’t happen until after the House resumes sitting.
“You can rest assured that should it have to be a Private Members Bill, I will be bringing it forward as soon as the House sits,” said Mr. Rinaldi.
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http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2007/08/23/4441157-cp.html
No barrier to renaming stretch of Highway 401 to honour soldiers: minister
TORONTO (CP) - A stretch of Canada's busiest highway is set to be renamed in honour of soldiers who have given their lives in Afghanistan.
"There's no barriers to making this happen," Ontario Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield said Thursday. Cansfield said she will meet with Premier Dalton McGuinty on Friday to discuss how soon Highway 401 can adopt the name Highway of Heroes.
"I think when you consider the sacrifice that the soldiers and others have made, it's just a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on that sacrifice and to be able to acknowledge it," Cansfield said.
"There's no reason not to do it. All we need to do now is get into the process of how quickly we can do it."
The renaming would affect a 170-kilometre stretch of the highway from CFB Trenton - where the bodies of repatriated soldiers arrive - to Toronto, where the remains are examined at a forensics centre.
Overpasses along the route have been the scenes of large, impromptu gatherings of people waving flags, holding placards and saluting the passing convoy.
Cansfield said the call to rename the highway came to her attention when she received word Wednesday of an online petition that has gathered more than 12,000 signatures.
No barrier to renaming stretch of Highway 401 to honour soldiers: minister
TORONTO (CP) - A stretch of Canada's busiest highway is set to be renamed in honour of soldiers who have given their lives in Afghanistan.
"There's no barriers to making this happen," Ontario Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield said Thursday. Cansfield said she will meet with Premier Dalton McGuinty on Friday to discuss how soon Highway 401 can adopt the name Highway of Heroes.
"I think when you consider the sacrifice that the soldiers and others have made, it's just a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on that sacrifice and to be able to acknowledge it," Cansfield said.
"There's no reason not to do it. All we need to do now is get into the process of how quickly we can do it."
The renaming would affect a 170-kilometre stretch of the highway from CFB Trenton - where the bodies of repatriated soldiers arrive - to Toronto, where the remains are examined at a forensics centre.
Overpasses along the route have been the scenes of large, impromptu gatherings of people waving flags, holding placards and saluting the passing convoy.
Cansfield said the call to rename the highway came to her attention when she received word Wednesday of an online petition that has gathered more than 12,000 signatures.
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I was just going to post that. This has to be one of the happiest days of my life, since this is one of the most important things I've done in my young life. I'm so happy that as long as the boat isn't rocked by anyone that objects, it should go through. Its not over yet, but we took over this hill! 
Thank you everybody
Thank you everybodyMIKsam said:
wow, I'm impressed the provincial government is moving so quickly on this. It will be a nice tribute if they follow through with it.
And as such, i take back what I said earlier, that i had huge doubts that the provincial government would do something like this.
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CTV poll, as of 1713EDT
Should a section of Canada's busiest highway be renamed the 'Highway of Heroes'?
Yes 1979 votes (50 %)
No 1997 votes (50 %)
Total Votes: 3976
Keep voting, folks!
Should a section of Canada's busiest highway be renamed the 'Highway of Heroes'?
Yes 1979 votes (50 %)
No 1997 votes (50 %)
Total Votes: 3976
Keep voting, folks!
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Hi,
Please see the comments below that I received from a Military Police colleague who recently participated in a police escort of a soldier's funeral procession from Trenton to Toronto. The name of this MP has been removed for privacy reasons but as you can see by reading this document it was a deeply moving experience.
Regards,
RJS
************************************************************
By LCol XXXXXX, Cdn Forces Military Police
I had the honour of recently attending the Repatriation Ceremony for our fallen heroes
last night at 8 Wing Trenton, and, although words cannot possibly do justice to this
heart-wrenching experience, I thought it important to describe the overwhelming--and I mean
overwhelming--support provided by law enforcement, fire services, ambulance services and,
indeed, the public at large for this very solemn occasion. The procession included over twenty
vehicles and had to be at least one km in length. Cpl XXXX, SLt XXXXXX, and I were in the
rear escort Military Police vehicle. I could not believe my eyes as we made the solemn journey from 8
Wing to the Coroner's Office in Toronto.
We were escorted by at least six or seven OPP cars and two motorcycles until we arrived in
Toronto, and then Durham Regional Police, and then Toronto Police Services picked up the
escort/traffic control duties. Every overpass along the almost 200 kms of Hwy 401 had
emergency services vehicles with lights flashing, members saluting, and citizens waving
Canadian flags. Every on ramp had a police vehicle blocking traffic, with members standing
by the vehicles saluting. Entire police detachments stood along the route, saluting in front of
their vehicles. Firehalls had their trucks out, with their members in full dress uniform out front
paying respects to our comrades. People stopped their cars along the side of the road, got out
and saluted or held their hands over their hearts. As we neared downtown, the streets were
lined with crowds waving Canadian flags and paying their respects. The outpouring of support
for our fallen heroes and their families was beyond belief; never before have I been as proud to
wear this uniform.
Finally, this would not have been possible without the OUTSTANDING support of our
fellow police officers from the OPP and Toronto Police Services. All of the police officers who
supported this solemn occasion--and I would put a very conservative estimate at over 500--did
so on their own time. They were volunteers. The Ontario Provincial Police (in particular Quinte
West Det and Whitby Detachments), Durham Regional Police, and Toronto Metro Police--they
all deserve special mention for their outstanding efforts and their amazing show of support.
This experience will remain with me for the rest of my life. I truly hope I never get the
opportunity again; however, should such a tragedy once again befall our brave soldiers,
sailors and airmen/women, it is comforting to know that Canada's quiet patriotism is very much
alive and well--the torch burns bright and strong.
Please see the comments below that I received from a Military Police colleague who recently participated in a police escort of a soldier's funeral procession from Trenton to Toronto. The name of this MP has been removed for privacy reasons but as you can see by reading this document it was a deeply moving experience.
Regards,
RJS
************************************************************
By LCol XXXXXX, Cdn Forces Military Police
I had the honour of recently attending the Repatriation Ceremony for our fallen heroes
last night at 8 Wing Trenton, and, although words cannot possibly do justice to this
heart-wrenching experience, I thought it important to describe the overwhelming--and I mean
overwhelming--support provided by law enforcement, fire services, ambulance services and,
indeed, the public at large for this very solemn occasion. The procession included over twenty
vehicles and had to be at least one km in length. Cpl XXXX, SLt XXXXXX, and I were in the
rear escort Military Police vehicle. I could not believe my eyes as we made the solemn journey from 8
Wing to the Coroner's Office in Toronto.
We were escorted by at least six or seven OPP cars and two motorcycles until we arrived in
Toronto, and then Durham Regional Police, and then Toronto Police Services picked up the
escort/traffic control duties. Every overpass along the almost 200 kms of Hwy 401 had
emergency services vehicles with lights flashing, members saluting, and citizens waving
Canadian flags. Every on ramp had a police vehicle blocking traffic, with members standing
by the vehicles saluting. Entire police detachments stood along the route, saluting in front of
their vehicles. Firehalls had their trucks out, with their members in full dress uniform out front
paying respects to our comrades. People stopped their cars along the side of the road, got out
and saluted or held their hands over their hearts. As we neared downtown, the streets were
lined with crowds waving Canadian flags and paying their respects. The outpouring of support
for our fallen heroes and their families was beyond belief; never before have I been as proud to
wear this uniform.
Finally, this would not have been possible without the OUTSTANDING support of our
fellow police officers from the OPP and Toronto Police Services. All of the police officers who
supported this solemn occasion--and I would put a very conservative estimate at over 500--did
so on their own time. They were volunteers. The Ontario Provincial Police (in particular Quinte
West Det and Whitby Detachments), Durham Regional Police, and Toronto Metro Police--they
all deserve special mention for their outstanding efforts and their amazing show of support.
This experience will remain with me for the rest of my life. I truly hope I never get the
opportunity again; however, should such a tragedy once again befall our brave soldiers,
sailors and airmen/women, it is comforting to know that Canada's quiet patriotism is very much
alive and well--the torch burns bright and strong.
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WOW...That's one of those letters that you have to take a second to catch your breath with.
This should be passed on to local media, and the emergency services that were participants in this ultimate show of respect and patriotism.
I'm still a little blown away...
This should be passed on to local media, and the emergency services that were participants in this ultimate show of respect and patriotism.
I'm still a little blown away...
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It's a done deal. The news just reported the Ontario MOT has announced it as 'Hero's Highway'
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