Highway of Heros....

Mr Walleye · March 16, 2009, 02:35:28 PM

I just thought I would post a couple of links to some pretty touching videos about the stretch of highway here in Canada that's been renamed The Highway of Heros. The stretch of Highway 401 running from CFB Trenton into Toronto is routinely lined with civilians and veterans as the body of each Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan makes its way home during repatriation. There are approximately 50 bridges on the route that are lined with people showing their respect.......

This news storey gives a goo outline of the "Highway of Heros"....
http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2008/11/11/7372241.html

This is a nice slideshow as well....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rbwiEwi60E

Mike

Up In Smoke · March 16, 2009, 02:53:28 PM

Mike,
excellent post.
god bless all soldiers and their families, remember to keep them in our prayers.

tsquared · March 16, 2009, 07:54:31 PM

Great post Mike! One of my staff members has a son going back for his second tour of 'stan in August. Here's hoping he and his compatriots don't have to do that drive.
T2

Smoking Duck · March 18, 2009, 02:14:35 PM

Thanks for the post, Mike. It's so easy to forget that there are other countries in the fight against terror, yet their sacrifice is as every bit important as any sacrifice that has occurred in the name of freedom regardless of where the warrior calls home. Thanks for bringing your country's heroes back into my thoughts. God bless all of the fallen warriors.

pensrock · March 19, 2009, 01:26:40 AM

Thanks for the post Mike.

josbocc · March 19, 2009, 05:10:16 PM

Mike,

Thanks for a very moving post. With any luck our good friends up North will never have to line those bridges again. Here's to the hope that all of our heroes return home safely.

Jeff

josbocc · March 20, 2009, 05:12:54 PM

Guess my reply yesterday didn't bring good luck to the Canadian troops. My heart goes out to the families of the 4 men that were recently lost, as well as the ones that have already sacrificed.

God Bless all of our troops.

Mr Walleye · March 20, 2009, 05:16:17 PM

I just caught that in the news Josbocc.

Thoughts and prayers are with them and their families.

Mike

seemore · March 20, 2009, 06:13:15 PM

Mike, what a wonderful tribute to those soldiers. God bless our troops, and as they others have said, may they be safe and home soon.

gpsmoker · March 21, 2009, 04:33:39 PM

A well done tribute indeed, and sadly, we just lost 4 more young men yesterday. No matter the size of the army, such losses are heartbreaking. My heartfelt sympathies go out to all families whom have lost loved ones in the war on terror both here in Canada, but also in the United States, which has paid such a high cost to combat this menace. God bless all the troops out there, and keep watch over them.

Greg

car54 · March 22, 2009, 04:49:04 PM

It is very impressive what our northern friends are doing for there war heroes.
I do not know if Canada has the Patriot Guard Riders . They are a group of bikers that attend all the funerals bringing with them many American flags that are set around the funeral homes. Then then leave early and have a canopy of flags to walk under at the cemetery. At times there are hundreds of members attending.

Here is a link
http://www.patriotguard.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwigMTjup70&feature=related

Brad

WhiteSmoke · March 22, 2009, 05:12:07 PM

I don't know either.

But you can bet your bottom dollar that anyone in the US wishes they had the opportunity to grant the same respect to thier heros that Canada does to its.

I have several cousins that serve. All of them have done thier turn over there. One as a ground pounder, err, infantrey, and two as combat pilots. My prayers are with them ever day as they were with thier fathers in action as part of the alliance with George Sr.

Not that I wouldn't do the same, but as a geek I lacked certian qualifications for front line duty...

So I still keep my Search and Rescue Uniform pressed and ready. It's a small mark of respect, but for all my frineds, family and compatriots give, if I can live the good life the least I can do is honour those that serve, be prepared should I be called, and know I live free due to the hardest sacrifices made by strangers, friends, and family.

To all Heros, Canadian or otherwise, I salute the nobelest sacrifice you make that we can live free.

Up In Smoke · March 22, 2009, 05:42:45 PM

car 54,
i first learned about the patriot guard when they rode for my nephew in november 06.
at that point i joined them and have ridden missions here in ga, also in west virginia and ohio.
it is an honor to ride with the vets, and even more of an honor to be invited to ride for the fallen
by their families.
you do not have to ride a motorcycle to be a part of this, any support you can give is welcome.
whitesmoke,
thank you to you and your family members for the sacrifices made for this great country and my
freedom, may they all return home safely.
mike,
again i thank you for a great post,
i am saddened by all losses suffered, all are in my prayers.

WhiteSmoke · March 22, 2009, 08:39:02 PM

Up In Smoke

I'm sure all families that could read your post would bless you for your thoughts.

I too can ride. And would ask you, or any willing to do a favour for all our toops that risk thier lives for us.

Pick a ride. Any ride. A first of the month. A friday the thirteenth. A day with an "h" for hero in it, yup I get that the last kinda limits the field but it is the thought that stretches the imagination.

Do it shamelessly for our friends, cousins, siblings. Hell, do it for the jerk you hated in High School that has the cojones to step into a midden of hurt for the sake of a million people that don't know him or her and that even if they did wouldn't think well of them. Because those are our saviours. One blood soaked step at a time. They our Angels, or Demons, depending on which side of the Battlefield you are on.

My Heart, and Strength and Wishes go with all the Angels everywhere. Whether in Camo whith a gun, or a Doctor in god knows where wielding a shot penicillin to one of the forgotten, my heart and thought and all those who say AMEN to this be with you.

tsquared · March 23, 2009, 06:42:05 PM

I see the host of the Redeye show on Fox news was making fun of Canada's contribution in Afghanistan on the weekend. Maybe he should come up and talk to the widows of those 4 soldiers making that trip down the Highway Of Heroes today. Sometimes the media makes me sick to my stomach... :-[
T2