Since there was a thread about some disrespectful behaviour shown to Veterans of the current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, I though I would show you what happens here in Canada....at least for those who have paid the ultimate price. I'll see if I can find more on those who return with their units. (I didn't find Highway of Heroes in a search so hope this isn't old news) U.S. media pays tribute to 'Highway of Heroes' | Canada | News | Toronto Sun Highway of Heroes - Google Video# Americans on Monday found themselves travelling along Canada's patriotic "Highway of Heroes." For them, as it has been for many Canadians, the journey was likely emotional and haunting. 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. Earlier this year, the British press took notice of the grassroots show of solidarity and loss when they compared the hallowed homecoming of Canadian fallen soldiers to the meagre reception held for their war casualties returning back to the U.K. NBC News ran a feature on the Highway of Heroes during its evening newscast Monday as part of its coverage for today's Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the U.S. The national attention by the American network was inspired by the sudden emotion the section of roadway evoked in journalist Kevin Tibbles, an ex-pat Canadian who's a veteran journalist at NBC. "It is not often that you witness something for the first time, and find yourself being moved to tears," Tibbles wrote yesterday in his NBC blog. Last July, Tibbles was driving from Montreal to Ajax to visit his parents. "I started to notice along the highway there were people standing along the sides with flags and people all over the bridges," he recently explained to Sun Media journalist Pete Fisher who was interviewed for the NBC feature. "I didn't know what it was," Tibbles explained, "but they were on every single bridge — every one. (When) I found out that it was a grassroots phenomenon that takes place and has just grown among ordinary people ... I just found it fascinating." Fisher is part of the NBC piece because he and Toronto Sun columnist Joe Warmington are largely credited with having the section of highway officially recognized as the "Highway of Heroes." Tibbles says the kind of unified and public show of respect along the repatriation route is unusual in the world today. "It doesn't happen in the States; it doesn't happen in the United Kingdom. And I think that's what so fascinating — and the fact that none of it was organized by anyone except, perhaps, by each person's own heart to go and do it." Writing in his blog — a reporter's notebook on stories he's covering — Tibbles notes: "Here is a grassroots movement that has simply grown out of respect for those who put their lives on the line ... Lest We Forget." His piece ran last night during NBC's Nightly News with Brian Williams. CTV.ca | Stretch of 401 to be renamed 'Highway of Heroes'
How To Help Red Fridays Movement RED FRIDAYS FOUNDATION OF CANADA Is an organization to promote support for our men and women who serve our country. Our Canadian military has made many sacrifices in the name of peace, not only for Canada but for many other countries around the world. Wearing Red on Fridays is a symbolic gesture to show fellow Canadians and our troops that we care and honour those who fought for our freedom, our peace, our resolve. Our goal is to show non-partisan support for our military troops. We do not support any particular policy, political position, agenda or the nature of military missions. This support is for all Canadian Troops regardless of their activity if its here or abroad. As Canadians we need to show support for our men and women that place themselves in harms way for all Canadians. They are our National Treasure. United we stand for peace in Canada no matter of opinion, creed, religion, colour or race. Show you care by becoming a part of this sweeping support. Wear RED on Fridays to show you care. -Brian Muntz
YouTube - Soldiers return to CFB Edmonton Troops returning to CFB Edmonton I thought I would look for similar types of articles - hopefully more positive about British troops too, and Americans but have not had a lot of success which is disheartening to me -and must be much more so for them. Perhaps I'm not looking in the right places this time - hopefully one of you can find something. I'll keep looking.
Hi Michelle, you have confirmed something I was going to ask you ref Highway Of Heroes. I have been watching a fictional series called Flashpoint, about a Canadian police SRU and in a episode the other week one of the guys in the unit who was a former member of JTF2 went out to a road bridge to wait for a funeral procession to pass with someone he had known in Afghanistan, so I wondered how true to life this was. Thanks to your post I now know
Hi Michelle, it just goes to show you that Canadians are a marvelous and high-quality people. When I was in Germany and Susanne and I (Susabbe abd I are only friends) we met several Canadians traveling in the same areas we were and I greatly enjoyed socializing with all of them. We stayed with a few who also happened to have Cabins on the same BoTel we were staying at in Wilhelmshaven.
Great stuff Michelle, always good to see. Things are getting better over here, more and more the parades are big occaisions with loads of people turning out, it has gone from the parade in London when nobody turned up a few years back to city centers crammed with people. It is good to see people showing up to welcome these lads home.
