The Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign planted 300 trees in Cobourg with Tree Canada and Home Hardware on Saturday, October 20, 2018.
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces joined local volunteers to plant 300 trees, adding to the nearly 100,000 trees that will have been planted by the end of 2018. Through the generous support of Tree Canada and Home Hardware, the Highway of Heroes will continue to be converted into the largest living memorial ever constructed. Three years after its launch, the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign continues to resonate with Canadians from coast to coast. The project will see 2,000,000 trees planted as a living, breathing tribute to those who have served their country in times of conflict. Located along the Highway 401 corridor between Trenton and Toronto, known as the Highway of Heroes, 117,000 of these trees will honour those Canadians who have fallen in war since the confederation.
“During the conflict in Afghanistan, the phenomenon of Canadians gathering on bridges and along the highway first gained traction here in Cobourg,” says Mark Cullen, Campaign Chair and co-found of the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign.
“So, to have support from so many here in the local community, including our partners Tree Canada and Home Hardware really shows how much this stretch of highway means to the Canadians that live and work here.”
MP Kim Rudd, MPP David Piccini and acclaimed Cobourg Mayor John Henderson spoke about the highway and it’s history before the 300 trees, (nine different species of native trees) were planted.
MP Rudd stated in her remarks, “I believe it was Saint Basil who said, “a tree is known by its fruit; a person by their deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.”
Rudd added, “these trees planted today are a fitting tribute to the strength and enduring majesty of military service in this Country.”
“These trees symbolize the fortitude, the perseverance, and the durability of the Canadian spirit.” “What greater national memorial could there be than a “living, breathing memorial” to the duty and the sacrifices made every day by our men and women in the Armed Forces.
“Wars and conflicts will always be polarizing by their very nature. But we must always support those brace men and women who fought in them.”
“I’m not sure if those who fought in the wars of the past or those who fight in conflicts today would call themselves “heroes.”
“I suspect they would say, “I was doing my duty,” but Rudd added, “I would call them heroes.”
Among the people in attendance for the tree planting were Ron and Barb Johnson from Port Hope who lost their son 23-year-old son Andrew while he was deployed in Bosnia in 2004.
‘I’m proud to be here,” said his mother Barb who was wearing a blue shirt of her son’s while planting trees.
“It’s a very emotional day. I think it’s wonderful what they are doing and the community support.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
