Soldiers from CFB Kingston travelled to Grafton on Monday, October 3, 2022 to help clean-up the on and off-ramps of the Highway of Heroes.
The soldiers are part of the Canadian Forces Joint Operations Support Group which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Commanding Officer, Colonel Heather Morrison said many people in the unit have done deployments with some, including herself to Afghanistan and called Monday’s event “hugely important.”
With the celebration of the unit, Morrison said, they really wanted to do an Act of Remembrance.
“We thought this was the most fitting way to kick off our 10th anniversary week.”
The Grafton on and off-ramps are named after Major Michelle Knight who died in Afghanistan on April 23, 2009.
It was a personal connection for Morrison as she went to the Royal Military College when Knight was also attending.
Morrison was introduced to Knight’s mother, Dianne who lives nearby and comes our bi-annually to clean the ramps.
“She’s a phenomenal person and I’m very impressed that the Highway of Heroes is being looked after in such a way and that there is a huge involvement from the community.”
After the clean, Morrison presented flowers to Michelle’s mother and said it was an honour for the soldiers to come out.
“Michelle is shining down on us now,” said Dianne as she looked to the sky.
Major Jerrica Cull and Kerri Tadeu who was a close friend of Michelle’s organized the clean.
Tadeu has been instrumental in remembering her friend by adopting the Highway of Heroes and spearheading the cleaning of the 344 kilometres of highway twice a year for the last six years in Grafton.
“Kerri is like my third daughter. And I can’t ever thank her enough for everything she has done in Michelle’s memory.”
“I couldn’t ever have a better day than today.”
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
