Highway(s) of Heroes - Merged Thread
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That was a beautiful letter, and I am not ashamed to say that there is a tear falling down my face right now.
Hearing the stories of all those people who might not even know anyone in the military but take time out of their day to stand watch is so heatwarming. Let's hope they never have to do it again but, if they should, we know our people are truly getting the respectful send-off they deserve.
Hearing the stories of all those people who might not even know anyone in the military but take time out of their day to stand watch is so heatwarming. Let's hope they never have to do it again but, if they should, we know our people are truly getting the respectful send-off they deserve.
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I am very happy that the stretch of highway will be renamed.
I've heard the stories, and have seen the pictures that my hubby brought home while on his Escort duties, and I can't help but hitch a breath and wipe the tears each time.
I pray that the stretch of highway may never be used in the same manner again, but if it is, at least it will be aptly named.
Thankyou to forcerecon85 for spearheading that online petition.
Cheers,
CAW
Edit: spelling
I've heard the stories, and have seen the pictures that my hubby brought home while on his Escort duties, and I can't help but hitch a breath and wipe the tears each time.
I pray that the stretch of highway may never be used in the same manner again, but if it is, at least it will be aptly named.
Thankyou to forcerecon85 for spearheading that online petition.
Cheers,
CAW
Edit: spelling
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A bit more of the latest (BTW, JF, well done -- just curious re: how accurately were you quoted?), with the usual disclaimer....
Ontario to dedicate Highway of Heroes in honour of soldiers felled in Afghanistan
MELISSA JUERGENSEN, Canadian Press, 23 Aug 07
Article link
A stretch of Ontario highway that's become a sombre repatriation route for soldiers felled in Afghanistan, drawing impromptu gatherings of mourners saluting that sacrifice, is set to be renamed in their honour, the province said Thursday. The 170-kilometre stretch of Highway 401 between the eastern Ontario airbase where the flag-drapped coffins of fallen soldiers arrive and the forensics centre in Toronto that receives them has been dubbed the Highway of Heroes.
More than 14,000 people have signed an electronic petition to officially rename that stretch of highway, where people gather on overpasses to wave flags, display placards of support, and salute the processions of hearses and limousines.
On Thursday, Ontario Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield said there were "no barriers to making this happen."
"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 in a phone interview.
"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."
Highway 401, the country's busiest, is currently named the MacDonald-Cartier Freeway. The government says it's considering several options in terms of dedicating a portion of the highway.
"We don't know whether we rename one little part of it or if we leave the name and have that part of it dedicated," said Jamie Rilett, Cansfield's spokesman.
"We're kind of early in the process to know which direction it's going to go, but there'll definitely be something dedicating that part of the highway to the fallen soldiers."
The cost to dedicate the highway with signs will be minimal, Rilett added.
Cansfield said the call to dedicate the highway came to her attention Wednesday when she was told about the online petition.
James Forbes, 22, who's behind the petition said he's surprised he's attracted so much attention.
"I am so happy," said Forbes, a London, Ont., resident who said he one day plans to enlist in the military.
Forbes said he's received a lot of feedback from military families who've travelled along Highway 401 following repatriation ceremonies at CFB Trenton.
"It seriously means absolutely everything to them," Forbes said of the public displays of support. "It just shows the families that the country feels for their loss."
Cansfield and Premier Dalton McGuinty are expected to discuss the highway dedication on Friday. McGuinty was previously involved in changing the name of an Ottawa highway to Veterans Memorial Highway ....
Ontario to dedicate Highway of Heroes in honour of soldiers felled in Afghanistan
MELISSA JUERGENSEN, Canadian Press, 23 Aug 07
Article link
A stretch of Ontario highway that's become a sombre repatriation route for soldiers felled in Afghanistan, drawing impromptu gatherings of mourners saluting that sacrifice, is set to be renamed in their honour, the province said Thursday. The 170-kilometre stretch of Highway 401 between the eastern Ontario airbase where the flag-drapped coffins of fallen soldiers arrive and the forensics centre in Toronto that receives them has been dubbed the Highway of Heroes.
More than 14,000 people have signed an electronic petition to officially rename that stretch of highway, where people gather on overpasses to wave flags, display placards of support, and salute the processions of hearses and limousines.
On Thursday, Ontario Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield said there were "no barriers to making this happen."
"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 in a phone interview.
"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."
Highway 401, the country's busiest, is currently named the MacDonald-Cartier Freeway. The government says it's considering several options in terms of dedicating a portion of the highway.
"We don't know whether we rename one little part of it or if we leave the name and have that part of it dedicated," said Jamie Rilett, Cansfield's spokesman.
"We're kind of early in the process to know which direction it's going to go, but there'll definitely be something dedicating that part of the highway to the fallen soldiers."
The cost to dedicate the highway with signs will be minimal, Rilett added.
Cansfield said the call to dedicate the highway came to her attention Wednesday when she was told about the online petition.
James Forbes, 22, who's behind the petition said he's surprised he's attracted so much attention.
"I am so happy," said Forbes, a London, Ont., resident who said he one day plans to enlist in the military.
Forbes said he's received a lot of feedback from military families who've travelled along Highway 401 following repatriation ceremonies at CFB Trenton.
"It seriously means absolutely everything to them," Forbes said of the public displays of support. "It just shows the families that the country feels for their loss."
Cansfield and Premier Dalton McGuinty are expected to discuss the highway dedication on Friday. McGuinty was previously involved in changing the name of an Ottawa highway to Veterans Memorial Highway ....
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The poll voting is still continuing and one of the members of AOAC (Agent Orange Association of Canada) just reported that the vote is now at
56% YES!!! 44% no
My son and grandson have just returned to Canada safe and sound... this has become important to me because my boys are back safe and sound so I am feeling a bit guilty that my family was so blessed while other families have and are still going thru the sadnesses of loss. I am grateful that so many are supporting these soldiers and their families....
56% YES!!! 44% no
My son and grandson have just returned to Canada safe and sound... this has become important to me because my boys are back safe and sound so I am feeling a bit guilty that my family was so blessed while other families have and are still going thru the sadnesses of loss. I am grateful that so many are supporting these soldiers and their families....
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Great Idea!
But our heroes that leave Trenton do not only leave in a Western direction.
Why not rename the stretch starting in Kingston (CFB), or from the 416 (Veterans Highway) or even from the Quebec border?
But our heroes that leave Trenton do not only leave in a Western direction.
Why not rename the stretch starting in Kingston (CFB), or from the 416 (Veterans Highway) or even from the Quebec border?
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Snowbird, I believe the point is honouring the dead soldiers during their journey from Trenton to the Ontario Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto. This is the first travel in Canada after being airlifted home.
G2G
*edit to correct OCFS name*
G2G
*edit to correct OCFS name*
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I believe the point in renaming the highway is in recognition of our fallen comrades. When they return to Canada at Trenton, yes they do go only in a western direction because they have to go to Toronto for the autopsy. We all understand that when the soldiers return from their mission, they go in all directions based on where they are posted, but the naming of the highway is because, unfortunately, there have been 69 funeral processions that have travelled that highway to Toronto.
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Snowbird,
The petition & this thread has been discussing the fallen & the processions that take place between Trenton & Toronto. They only go in a westerly direction - the Coroner's office in Toronto looks after all autopsies for the CF.
Do we have Heroes beyond Toronto OR east of Trenton, yes, but that's not the point...
If you wish to petition the Gov't of all ( or some ) provinces, by all means, go for it & you'll probably find some backing here - but in the meantime, Trenton to Toronto is the motion we are petitioning for.
The petition & this thread has been discussing the fallen & the processions that take place between Trenton & Toronto. They only go in a westerly direction - the Coroner's office in Toronto looks after all autopsies for the CF.
Do we have Heroes beyond Toronto OR east of Trenton, yes, but that's not the point...
If you wish to petition the Gov't of all ( or some ) provinces, by all means, go for it & you'll probably find some backing here - but in the meantime, Trenton to Toronto is the motion we are petitioning for.
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I stand Corrected. 
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Re: Hwy 401 East...
With all due respect, and in honor of our fallen soldiers, why are we not dedicating and re-naming our new CANADIAN AIRCRAFT after ALL our Canadian soldiers ? In our books they should all be considered "heroes" for having the courage to risk their lives and ...
I do not understand how we can dedicate this stretch of Hwy 401 to our fallen soldiers when in reality it was recently named the WORST and MOST DANGEROUS Hwy in Canada.
:cdnsalute:
With all due respect, and in honor of our fallen soldiers, why are we not dedicating and re-naming our new CANADIAN AIRCRAFT after ALL our Canadian soldiers ? In our books they should all be considered "heroes" for having the courage to risk their lives and ...
I do not understand how we can dedicate this stretch of Hwy 401 to our fallen soldiers when in reality it was recently named the WORST and MOST DANGEROUS Hwy in Canada.
:cdnsalute:
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Force,
saw you this am on the CTV Canada AM the link is below. For those that missed it. Oh yes and for you girls there is a picture of our Canadian idol. Nice plug for the site as well. The mods are going to hate you though, troll patrol attention.
http://www.ctv.ca/canadaam.
saw you this am on the CTV Canada AM the link is below. For those that missed it. Oh yes and for you girls there is a picture of our Canadian idol. Nice plug for the site as well. The mods are going to hate you though, troll patrol attention.
http://www.ctv.ca/canadaam.
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Lorraine, there is a naming convention for CF aircraft (manufacturer's model name, or where no name exists, a bilingual name related to the characteristics or employment of the aircraft), as there also is for Canadian warships. I'm not sure how you would name an aircraft to honour all CF soldiers -- what aircraft would we name in this manner, all new aircraft entering service, the next one to enter service, etc...
Notwithstanding the accident rate on the 401, or stretches of it in particular, the fact remains that fallen soldiers being repatriated to Canada follow that 170 km trek from CFB Trenton to the OCFS facility in Toronto, and it is more their travel over that portion of the highway that is being honoured than the characteristics of the pavement itself.
Regards,
G2G
Notwithstanding the accident rate on the 401, or stretches of it in particular, the fact remains that fallen soldiers being repatriated to Canada follow that 170 km trek from CFB Trenton to the OCFS facility in Toronto, and it is more their travel over that portion of the highway that is being honoured than the characteristics of the pavement itself.
Regards,
G2G
My husband and I are both from Military Family backgrounds and are currently on our 18th year of service. As I read the Letter from the LCol last night I was not surprised to find tears streaming down my face, I was however surprised when I looked over and seen tears running down my husband's face. Thanks for sharing this letter with us. We may not all be over there serving, but our fellow servicemen/women are near to our hearts.
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