Description

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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.

About the Author

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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.

Praise For…

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"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."