A special unveiling took place at The Big Apple on Sunday, July 21, 2024.
A large Highway of Heroes memorial globe was officially unveiled with numerous dignitaries in attendance honouring the 158 Canadian soldiers killed during the Afghanistan war.
Silver Cross mother Dianne Knight, MPP David Piccini, Cramahe Township Mayor Mandy Martin, Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison, Big Apple General Manager Sylvia Nagy, Horizon Metal Works, Shawn Donnan who created the globe and Kerri Tadeu who along with two others adopted the Highway of Heroes from Trenton to Toronto.
The event began at 11 a.m. and a number of people were also in attendance including veterans.
Tadeu first spoke about Canada’s son and daughters who have made “unimaginable sacrifices for our country” along with their family members every single day.
“Today, at the official unveiling of the Big Apple’s Highway of Heroes memorial globe, I am reminded of the pain and pride that Canadians share with the families of the fallen.”
“Former Chief of Defense Staff, General Walter Natynczyk, believed that the Highway of Heroes became a symbol of Canadian patriotism and would be an everlasting demonstration of our nation’s gratitude for the brave fallen men and women in uniform who were carried home from the Afghanistan War and he thanked everyone who came out to pay their respects on the brides and along the Highway of Heroes stating their presence provided great comfort to the families of the fallen.”
Tadeu also thanked owner of the Big Apple, Joe Pulla, for his support for the project.
“Creating a Highway of Heroes memorial globe is a powerful expression of support that has not gone unnoticed. Joe, it is fitting that the names of your beloved parents, Irma and Jimmy are on the benches in this beautiful space when I share with you that there are so many individuals in this community who are proud of you and thankful for your remarkable Act of Remembrance.”
Donnan spent hundreds of hours drawing the images of the globe and creating the metal artwork telling the story of the journey that 158 fallen soldiers took home from Afghanistan and along the Highway of Heroes to the coroners office in Toronto.
“Shawn is more than a renowned artist, he is a story teller and he gave more back than he received, understanding that freedom is far from free.”
Tadeu told the story of her friend, Major Michelle Knight Mendes was the 118th soldier to be carried home from the Afghanistan war on April 23rd 2009.
Knight Mendes grew an apple orchard down the road in Grafton and Sunday would have been her 46th birthday.
Silver Cross mother Dianne Knight shared a few words during the ceremony about her daughter.
“I’m proud to live in this amazing community.”
“Michelle touched many peoples lives and was very proud to serve her country. We all hope for world peace in these troubled times.”
Thanking Pulla, Donnan and Tadeu for their tireless work honouring the fallen, including her daughter, Knight said, everyone who passes through the Big Apple will know about the 158 soldiers who fought for our country, died in Afghanistan and traveled along the Highway of Heroes.
MPP Piccini spoke about the importance of the Highway of Heroes and how much it meant to many people in Northumberland County.
How people would go to the bridges and pay their respects when a fallen soldier came home for the final time along the Highway of Heroes.
It was cleaning up the garbage along the Highway of Heroes when Piccini first meant Knight.
Piccini said he never met Michelle, but after meeting her mother while cleaning the Highway, he went home and read up on Major Michelle Knight Mendes.
Piccini said Northumberland County is grateful to have families like the Knights in the community, “and heroes like Michelle. They will live on in memory through the incredible acts of remembrance.”
Cramahe Township Mayor Mandy Martin said, “it’s so important that we recognize Michelle and all the fallen.”
When the fallen soldiers came through Northumberland County starting in 2002 residents came to the bridges to pay their respects.
“It didn’t matter where the soldiers was from – we understood the cost of freedom.”
“This (globe) is such important thing to recognize. The wide world comes through here – and here it is – truly remembering.”
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
