Volunteers came from Kingston, Barrie and Toronto to help clean a section of the Highway of Heroes in Port Hope on Saturday, October 16, 2021.
Both eastbound and westbound on and off-ramps are named after Craftsman Kyle Sinclair (age 27) who was killed while working on a armoured vehicle at CFB Petawawa on on November 21, 2014.
On Saturday, Sinclair’s mother, Anna Loveman organized a number of volunteers who came out, including Northumberland – Peterborough South MPP David Piccini.
Rain or shine the group has been cleaning the area bi-annually for a number of years.
Alcohol containers, plastic bottles, glass bottles, cans, diapers, plastic bags, shoes, Tim Hortons cups and many more items were picked up during the morning clean.
Loveman said it’s about keeping the ramps honouring her son clean, but honouring all the fallen soldiers.
“It’s crazy,” Loveman said with the amount of garbage.
“I don’t get it.”
Loveman advises people to just throw a small bag in your vehicle when travelling.
“Don’t throw it out here. There is pit stops you can make along the way if you’re doing a long haul. Or just (drop it off) at your next Tim Hortons or gas station, or better yet – home.”
Piccini who is the Ontario Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks said it was an honour to be involved in the clean which he has participated in for several years.
“It’s gross to see” said Piccini while stopping briefly.
“I’ve got a pungent smell of cannabis and vomit and people are driving. And it’s moms and dads and children on our highways.”
“I still can’t get over how irresponsible people are on the environment and the life choices they make before they get behind the wheel.”
People said it’s great to see the support from volunteers that come out to clean each year.
“It’s really good to see people taking an active involvement in cleaning up the environment.”
“Reducing waste and diverting it from our highways – this is desecrating the memories of the fallen. So it’s important we keep these ramps clean.”
With over 20 bags of garbage picked up along the ramps, Piccini said, “so much of this stuff is now to mush but it could have been recycled. It’s such a missed opportunity.”
Loveman said her son would be honoured the clean keeps happening year after year and added, “I’m a proud mom.”
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
