HIghway of Heroes: July 9, 2009

Something quite different today.

Yesterday, as I was on the 401 just east of Toronto, a radio announcer advised that the 2 Canadian soldiers killed this week in a helicopter crash were on the west bound lane having recently landed at Trenton airbase.

I started to watch for their entourage.

I must confess, that to that point I had not given the Highway of Heroes much thought. Like most Canadians I was saddened everytime I heard of a soldier's death and thought of their family and love-ones. But driving along the 401 at this juncture, it brought it all home to me.

As I progressed along I noticed all the people waving flags at each overhead in anticipation of these brave men driving by. With them were firetrucks, rescue vehicles, police cars and such. It really was quite impressive and they all waited their turn to salute these fallen comrades.

I thought of the two "boys" and how they must have felt going over seas for the first time. Probably convinced that they would return okay but in the back of their minds thinking that maybe - just maybe - they would incur a serious injury or death. I thought of the worry for their parents on their departure and during all the time they were over in Afganistan. It would be hard to take but not as hard as seeing their worst fears come to pass.

I thought back to my father Robert Ralph who fought in Italy and Holland during 1943-45 and wondered if the same thoughts haunted him during those momentous years in his life. I thought of his parents and how they too had to cope with the knowledge that they were but a telegram away from ever seeing their only son again.

And then in the distance I saw the flashing lights announcing the approach of their last caravan. Police cars and police motorcycles and then the 2 hearses, which I slowed down to salute. It was over in but a few seconds but the memory will remain with me until I too die.

God bless those "boys" and all who fight for freedom in our names. We all owe them so much more than we'll ever know.

"Galagher"