Today we salute the men and women who have given their lives for their countries, at home and abroad, in times of war and peace. This is the poppy that each Canadian proudly wears to honour those brave heroes.
Our Canadian forces are still stationed in Afghanistan, and sadly, the death count continues to rise. Whenever Canadians give their lives, their bodies are flown home within a few days. The time of arrival at the air base is always announced well in advance so that anyone wishing to pay their respects may do so. After the plane lands, there is an official repatriation ceremony, complete with mournful bagpipes. Then there is the solemn journey to the coroner's office, where an autopsy will be performed. That journey takes three hours, and always follows the same route, known as the Highway of Heroes.
People line the highway or stand on the overpasses as the procession passes. Transport truck drivers pull over and stand silently beside their rigs. In every town, police officers and firefighters take their places on the nearest overpass, along with their squad cars and fire trucks.
I heard a moving account on the radio last year. A man, whose son paid the ultimate price, was the only member of the family able to make the long journey to the airbase. He stood alone on the tarmac, but he was not really alone. The entire base had turned out to greet the fallen heroes. Members of the media were also present, filming the event from a discrete distance.
Once his son's coffin had been placed in the hearse, he got into the back seat of the limousine that would follow it, and the long ride began. This father said that he felt enveloped by the love and respect of all the people who lined the entire route, and was very much comforted. It was a positive experience for him to know how many appreciated his son's sacrifice. When they finally neared the end of the journey, the crowds were overwhelming, and he knew that each person they passed was saying a silent "thank you" to the young soldier who lay inside.
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