It was announced on Sept 7, 2007 that a section of Hwy 401 would be renamed the “Highway of Heroes”. This is mostly to do with the fact that every Canadian soldier that is returned to Canada from places abroad is first flown to CFB Trenton, then driven to Toronto for their autopsy and other official processing before being released back to their families.
The pictures are quite moving, to see such patriotism in Canada, in my opinion, a rare thing. We are all use to seeing Americans going full out to support their troops, dead and alive, but Canada has always been quite reserved to put it mildly.
To quote a press release from Premier of Ontario‘s website:
For Immediate Release
September 7, 2007“HIGHWAY OF HEROES” SIGNS UNVEILED ALONG HIGHWAY 401
Ontario Government Honours Canada’s Fallen Soldiers
QUEEN’S PARK — The Ontario government has formally dedicated the “Highway of Heroes” by unveiling signs along a stretch of Highway 401 that commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of Canadian soldiers, Premier Dalton McGuinty said today.
“The road that links Ontario and Quebec is named in honour of the two leaders who gave life to our young nation more than 140 years ago,” said Premier McGuinty. “It is enormously fitting, then, that we dedicate a portion of this very road in honour of those who gave their lives for our nation.”
New “Highway of Heroes” signs have been installed along the route, commemorating Canadian soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. This dedication pays tribute to the solemn journey fallen soldiers take once they return to Canada and are formally transported from Trenton to Toronto. The 172-kilometre stretch of Highway 401 between Toronto and Trenton will keep its official name — the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway….
You can download the Highway of Heroes in PDF format
