Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi made four special presentations for their contributions to the Highway of Heroes on Wednesday afternoon at his office in Cobourg.
Two members of the Cobourg Police Service along with Constable Nick Moeller and Constable Danielle McKeen were presented with certificates of recognition for their part in helping clean the Highway of Heroes and giving back to the community of Cobourg.
Their certificate partially read, “The way that you have actively committed yourself to clean up the roadside of the Highway of Heroes and the Constable Chris Garrett Memorial Bridge demonstrates your commitment to honouring our veterans and police force.”
“Your hard work, has been exceptional and it is because of people like you that our small communities continue to thrive.”
“It is my hope that you continue to use your talents for the betterment of Northumberland.”
Two other certificates were presented to Dianne Knight whose daughter Michelle Knight-Mendes (age 30) died in Afghanistan in 2009 and to Anna Loveman whose son, Kyle (age 27) was killed while repairing a vehicle in Petawawa in 2014.
“You have experienced such a devastating tragedy and instead of closing yourself off to the world, you have opened your heart. Your efforts in actively cleaning up the roadside of the Highway of Heroes demonstrate your commitment to honouring our veterans and the memory of your (son/daughter).”
The two officers and parents cleaned along the Highway of Heroes as part of the commitment of SerViCe Canada in late October to early November 2017.
Along with two Cobourg Police Officers and parents of Fallen Soldiers were numerous volunteers including PPCLI Veterans, Canadian Forces Troops, Toronto Police Officers and military/veteran supporters who cleaned 344 km of the Highway of Heroes (172 km east and 172 km west) with Master Corporal (retired) Collin Fitzgerald and Kerri Tadeu last October and early November 2017 as part of the commitment of SerViCe & SacriFice’s Adoption of the Highway of Heroes in Honour of Major Michelle Knight Mendes.