On Tuesday, November 9, Little Canada is honoured the Highway of Heroes by unveiling the bridge dedicated to Captain Nichola Goddard, the first Canadian woman to perish in combat.
Toronto Sun columnist coined the phrase “Highway of Heroes” in 2007 when fallen soldiers were repatriated back to Canada at CFB Trenton from Afghanistan then taken along Highway 401 to the coroner’s office.
Shortly after a public campaign was launched, the Provincial Government officially names the stretch of Highway 401 between CFB Trenton and Toronto, the Highway of Heroes.
Since 2002, when four soldiers were killed in Afghanistan, Canadians have lined the bridges paying their respects to the fallen soldiers and their families.
True Patriot Love Foundation launched the Highway of Heroes Memorial Campaign in 2011, raising funds to ensure the memories of our fallen soldiers were honoured. Highway 401 became known as the Highway of Heroes when Canadians lined the highway and overpasses to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers being transported from CFB Trenton to Toronto.
The actual bridge dedicated to the memory of Captain Nichola Goddard, the first Canadian woman to die in Afghanistan is on Ontario Street in Cobourg.
Little Canada is the vision of founder, Jean-Louis Brenninkmeijer and is located at 10 Dundas East, Toronto, Ontario and is a celebration of Canada and all that makes it so great, shrunk into a two-hour experience, a place for residents and visitors alike to experience Canada and all that it has to offer, all under one roof. Little Canada takes you on a journey of discovery from the moment you enter, it is a place where you’ll lose yourself in our country’s captivating vistas, famous landmarks, iconic cityscapes, and telling the many diverse stories that connect people to Canada and the residents of this great country. Our mission is to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity about Canada.
True Patriot Love recognizes the importance of keeping the memory of our fallen soldiers alive. Memorialized on the Highway of Heroes, Canadian have a place to pay their respects. Little Canada is connecting this memorial to a new audience and is honouring the Highway of Heroes by unveiling their bridge dedicated to Captain Nichola Goddard, the first Canadian woman to perish in combat.
Founded in 2009, True Patriot Love Foundation is Canada’s leading organization supporting the military community. The foundation raises awareness around the challenges related to military service and funds programs across the country that support serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans and their families, with a focus on well-being, enable rehabilitation and recovery from injury, assist the children and spouses of those who serve, and promote re-integration into communities following service. For more information, visit www.truepatriotlove.com.
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
