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Canadians line the overpasses of the Highway of Heroes to show their support, grief, and pride in our fallen champions.
The first four Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan were repatriated at Canadas largest military base in 2002. The fallen soldiers were driven down the 172-kilometre stretch of highway between Trenton and Toronto, and pedestrians lined the overpasses, hoping to make a connection with the grieving families. The support these people show isnt political; its not a movement for or against Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. Its always been a grassroots movement about showing respect for our fallen champions. People young and old, emergency services workers, Canadian Legion members, military personnel, friends of the fallen, and family of fallen soldiers stand atop each bridge along the highway in the blistering heat or bone-chilling cold. After five years of this display of patriotism, the Highway of Heroes was officially named in the summer of 2007 and has been a gleaming example of a nation’s grief and its pride.
"I feel that this book should be a staple in every Canadian home. Through the stories and photos gathered in Highway of Heroes: True Patriot Love, Fisher has paid tribute to each and every soldier who has made that final journey home, and equally paid tribute to each and every person who has stood on those bridges to help them along the way."
"Some of the best writing in the volume focuses on the stories of family members, like Wendy and Ray, the mother and stepfather of Private Andrew Miller who was one of two medics killed in June of 2010."
Even though one will require a certain amount of patriotism to enjoy Highway of Heroes, it is not a political book. There are no expressed opinions on whether or not our governmental policies for going to ware are justified. It is fundamentally about the service the Canadian Forces provide, and how Canadian citizens should respectively honour their sacrifices in public.
Highway of Heroes is not only a pictorial history of this important Canadian icon, but a true historical account of how it came to be and how it has affected Canadians. It is a much needed read for any Canadian patriot.
"Highway of Heroes drives home a theme of grassroots initiative. Each of the chapters describes actions being led by community leaders, who in turn work with the military, fire department and police ot effectively organize the repatriation."
“…a beautifully presented extraordinary tribute to Canada’s fallen soldiers.”
Pete Fisher is a photojournalist with over 20 years of experience tracking down news stories. Fisher has won a number of provincial and national awards for his work and was the driving force in getting a stretch of the 401 officially named the "Highway of Heroes." He lives in Cobourg, Ontario.