On the Overpass

This morning the Canadian Military released the names of three more of our soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan on Saturday.

Some of the American readers will be astounded that the Canadian military are in the area, but don’t be.  Our folks keep a low profile in Afghanistan in keeping with our national character.  We’ve been in country since 2005 more or less, not counting some work done by the Dwyer Hill gang a few years earlier looking for a tall guy carrying a kidney machine from cave to cave.

As our fallen are repatriated, the flight lands at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton, about two hours east of Toronto.  The repatriation containers are loaded onto hearses.  The hearses, under police escort, drive to Toronto, to the Provincial Coroner’s office.  The route takes the 401 Highway, (a US equivalent to any major interstate) then into downtown Toronto on an overcrowded six-lane artery called the Don Valley Parkway.  Along the route, there are signs letting your know that this is the Highway of Heroes. 

Almost spontaneously, as the fallen are driven into the city, the side of the highway and the overpasses are lined with regular folks.  There are flags and banners unfurled to honour the fallen.  Police, fire and ambulance services seem to appear regularly.  There are young people and older people:  Ex-soldiers: Families, Men, Women and Children.

As the cortege approaches each overpass, the crowd falls silent.  Some salute, some come to attention, others bow their head in contemplation or prayer.  The cortege whistles past at highway speeds.  There is a moment of silence, then the participants very quietly go back to their vehicles and walk away.  Not many words are exchanged amongst the participants.

Nothing is formally organized.  There is no protocol, no speeches, or even precedence, for these gatherings.  They happen when they need to happen and disperse afterwards.

In talking with some of the people on the overpasses, there are two common answer to the question "Why are you here?":  "Because they were Over There." and "They deserve to know we’re thinking of them and respect what they’re trying to do."

The heartening part is that there is no discussion of the politics, or the morality of Canadian soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.  Those discussions are set aside, as they should.  The focus is on expressing respect and support towards those who serve and have made the greatest sacrifice that can be made.

Sometime next week, probably on Tuesday or Wednesday, there will be groups on the overpasses again.  They will be honouring Cpl. Thomas James Hamilton, Pvt. John Michael Roy Curwin and Pvt. Justin Peter Jones.

That’s the reason why a section of the 401 and most of the Don Valley Parkway is called the Highway of Heroes.