Highway of Heroes

The well-meaning petition and the rush to rename a section of the Macdonald – Cartier Highway as “The Highway of Heroes” needs some second thought. The idea to name a stretch of Hwy 401 has to do with the all too frequent passage of vehicles carrying the remains of our soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan. People wishing to show their support for the families of the military have lined the overpasses waving flags or standing quietly as the coffins pass on their way to the Toronto forensic centre.

As I listened to the CBC radio phone-in show with people making their pitches supporting the re-naming of the road, I began to wonder how much this has to do with politics. The support for the war in Afghanistan has wavered ever since the Federal Liberals committed our forces to the NATO-led operation in that war-torn country. The NDP want out, The BLOC has suddenly taken a much more vocal stance as the VanDoos (Vingt Deux) are now in country, and the Conservatives are trying tread a fine line that could topple their minority government. A decision must be made soon as the Canadian contingent is due to leave in 2009. But, I became even more suspicious of motives when I heard Ontario Transportation Minister, Donna Cansfield making her pitch for the name change. as we enter the Ontario election fray.

Citing the support of the whole Dalton Gang, Ms Cansfield said the change could be made quickly and with little cost to the taxpayer. There is no rush and if cost is a main consideration, the priorities are all wrong. We need to support our troops, no matter if we agree with the mission that we have assigned to them. If we feel very strongly that we should not be in Afghanistan (or any other foreign land where there is the need for peace-making and peace-keeping) then we should be addressing our politicians. However, renaming a section of the highway where the coffins pass does little to support the men and women serving in the forces.

We honour those who die in the service with our cenotaphs and memorial statues. We gather every November 11th to remember and salute all those who have died serving in the armed forces. I think the majority of the men and women serving find that is all the recognition they want for their dead. If we are intent on showing our support, we ought to be doing more for those who are injured and facing the rest of their life with war wounds. We need to ensure their families are properly supported as they struggle to get on with their lives after the loss of a father, mother, son or daughter.

If the folk from the hometown of a fallen soldier wish to name a park or plant a memorial tree in their name, that is a more fitting tribute than renaming a section of highway that the dead may have never travelled during their life. Our memorials need to be totally national and encompassing yet totally private and personal. That is the Canadian way.

In the meantime, if we have more causalities, those folk who line the highway should continue to show their support. They might also take the time to search out the hospitals where some of our wounded are recovering and undergoing rehabilitation. Those men and women would be even more happy to see you and hear your words of support.

And Ms Cansfield, before you sprain the other leg jumping off the bandwagon, you should remember that the sign should read “Highway of Heroes and Heroines”. Not only would that be politically correct, it would be factual.