Fisher Pete - Highway of heroes: true patriot love

Photo by Gerri Photography.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I hope this book will give readers a sense of what a journey along the Highway of Heroes is like, a journey that no one wants to take, and that I and thousands of others hope each time will be the last.

As I was writing, it became obvious who I needed to thank first: the families of the fallen and the heroes that keep us safe every day. If it wasnt for their heroism, not only since 2002, but for decades before that, Canada wouldnt be the country it is as I see it, the greatest country in the world.

I also want to acknowledge the outpouring of support from all those who stand on top of the bridges and beside the highways. I know that the families of the fallen are grateful and I thank you. What you do is so important.

This is a journey Ive been on since 2002, and I couldnt have done it without the support of a great many people. If I forget to thank anyone, I hope you will forgive me. As I researched this book, everyone I spoke to was more than gracious and willing to share their stories.

I want to thank Beth Bruder, Allison Hirst, Jennifer Gallinger, and the staff at Dundurn Press. They have been amazing, and I am grateful that they have given me the chance to share my photos and to put my thoughts into words. I would also like to thank the Ontario Arts Council for their generous support through the Ontario Writers Reserve program.

I love the community of Cobourg and Port Hope and Northumberland County. As in any community, the people have differing views, but they are down-to-earth, and Im grateful to have grown up there and to now have the opportunity to raise my children there.

To the editorial department at Northumberland Publishers in Cobourg, although we have a small staff, you are the best and I love you all. Ive always said that, being a photojournalist, one gets to see the best and worst in people; its a different experience every day. But since 2002, through the tears and the sorrow, Ive witnessed the best of this country come together along this stretch of highway.

I think often of the first conversation I had years ago with my former managing editor, Mandy Martin, about the fallen soldiers coming home, and how the story of the special way that it was being commemorated needed to be covered. Im grateful to Mandy that her door was always open.

A special thank you to my managing editor, Sharie Lynn Fleming, and reporter Jeff Gard, who gave me the flexibility and space I needed to be able to complete this book. They were always there to listen, and their words of encouragement were deeply appreciated.

Thanks also to Joe Warmington, who is not only a good friend, but a columnist for the people. Ive never known someone who puts more heart and soul into his work, and it shows. Sometimes I think we are more like brothers. Joe has always said it doesnt matter whether you work for a small paper or one of the biggest in Canada, its about being accountable. Hes taught me a lot over the years, and Im very grateful.

To my friends, Paul, Steve, and Dennis, youve always been there for me, in good times and bad, and I know that we could write a book about our lifetime together and the stories weve shared but maybe we shouldnt. Youre the best friends I could ever ask for.

To Arnie, Larry, and Wayne, just a few of the people whove shaped the Highway of Heroes into what it is. Thank you for all your help with the book. To Caroline and Hector, who were a tremendous help during my quest to right a wrong and were key to getting the message out to the people. To Darlene, Wendy, Peter, Tara, and Fred, thank you for giving me your time and your thoughts; please know, youre never alone.

To my wonderful family: Im so grateful to my parents, who have supported me in more ways than one throughout my life. I know I should always say this more, but I love you. All my good qualities I have inherited from you. You mean the world to me. To my sister, Barb, who has been a wealth of support during hard times; whenever Ive needed you, youve been there. I couldnt have asked for a better sister and Im lucky to have you.

And finally, to the two people who mean the world to me, whove kept me grounded, who are the lights in my life, and my shining stars my two children, Corby and Natalie. I love you both more than anything. During the hard times, walking in the door and seeing your smiling faces helped so much. This book is not only for the heroes and their families, but also for you.

CHAPTER 1 THE FIRST FOUR

S i nce the day those first four Canadians were repatriated at Canadas largest military air base in 2002, the stretch of highway between Trenton and Toronto has been a gleaming example to the world of a nations grief and its pride.

The expressions on the faces of the people show a variety of emotions as they watch the procession for Corporal Michael Starker pass by from an overpass in Northumberland County, May 9, 2008.

The Highway of Heroes was officially named in the summer of 2007, but long before that, the people turned up on the bridges and stood on the overpasses of Canadas busiest highway to make a connection, if only for a few brief moments, with a fallen soldiers family. All along the 172-kilometre stretch they waited, in the blistering heat of summer and the bone-chilling cold of winter, to honour their countrys heroes.

It was not a political statement, nor was it a show of support either for or against the role of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. It was simply ordinary people paying their respects. It has always been a grassroots movement. People young and old emergency services workers, Legion members, military personnel, friends and family members of fallen soldiers, and ordinary citizens came to stand, with pride and sorrow in their hearts, on the bridges along the highway.

On that first solemn day, Sergeant Marc Leger, 29, of Lancaster, Ontario; Corporal Ainsworth Dyer, 25, of Montreal, Quebec; Private Richard Green, 22, of Mill Cove, Nova Scotia; and Private Nathan Smith, 27, of Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, came home for the last time. It was April 20, 2002.

Charlotte Rath of Port Hope and her mother, Starr Rath, of Cobourg hold Canadian flags as they stand on a side road in Port Hope to catch a glimpse of the procession for Private Alexandre Peloquin, June 11, 2009.