Volunteers were back at it again for the second weekend of the 2021 Highway of Heroes Spring Cleanup.
Volunteers made up of military members, veterans, first responders, families of fallen soldiers and people who care about them have cleaned two thirds of the Highway of Heroes after starting last weekend in Port Hope.
Cobourg Legion Branch 133 Pipes and Drums, Pipe Major, Mary Ito, organized a large group of band members to clean a significant area of the Highway of Heroes on Saturday, March 20, 2021.
It was a reunion of sorts on Saturday for the pipe band to share the same space with Kerri Tadeu who adopted the Highway of Heroes in 2016 in honour of Major Michelle Knight Mendes.
Knight Mendes was the 118th soldier to be carried home from Afghanistan 12 years ago next month. In November 2019 Tadeu was a guest speaker at the Highway of Heroes Tribute concert in Cobourg where she met Ito.
Tadeu said she has a “tremendous amount of respect for Mary and her leadership. It was a blessing to cross paths with Mary at the Highway of Heroes Tribute Concert in Cobourg and it’s been remarkable how many times Mary and members of the band have made themselves available at various events to pay respects to honour the service men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedom”
Approximately 13-members of the band came out to clean the on and off-ramps of the highway in the Trenton area.
“Thank you so much for allowing us (Cobourg Legion Pipes and Drums band members) to contribute to your mission,” said Ito.
“The feedback was great and we are hoping we will be able to help again”
Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison spoke prior to the clean to thank all the volunteers for giving their time for such a worthy cause.
The Highway of Heroes Adoption is rooted 95% in Mental Health and 5% in garbage collection.
Studies have shown that one in five Canadian Veterans suffers from mental disorders at some point in their lives, with the most common disorders being depression, PTSD and anxiety disorders. The pandemic has made the situation even more difficult for those who were already suffering.
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
