Highway of Heroes - Trenton
This is a multi-stage cache that starts at a parking area at the end of Peterson St off of Glen Miller Rd/Riverside Parkway and ends at a spot with a nice view of where the Highway of Heroes sign was first erected, until it was moved further East by the redesign of the Glen Miller 401 exit.
This cache has been placed to commemorate the dedication of the the Highway of Heroes, a 170 Km stretch of highway 401 between Trenton and Toronto.
This stretch of highway has become a sombre repatriation route for soldiers fallen in Afghanistan and draws impromptu gatherings of mourners saluting that sacrifice. It extends between CFB Trenton airbase where the flag-draped coffins of fallen soldiers arrive from overseas and the forensics center in Toronto that receives them. People have been gathering on overpasses along this route to wave flags, display placards of support, and salute the processions of hearses and limousines every time one of our own comes home.
More than 61,000 people signed an electronic petition raised by James Forbes, 22 requesting that the Ontario government officially rename this stretch of highway the Highway of Heroes. The government embraced this idea and on September 7, 2007 the Ontario government formally dedicated the “Highway of Heroes” between Trenton and Toronto by unveiling signs, which commemorate Canadian soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
On Friday September 28 2007 Cpl Nathan Hornburg, a reservist with the King's Own Calgary Regiment became the first Afghanistan casualty to officially travel the Highway of Heroes since it was renamed. He was the 71st Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002.
We have filled a small Tupperware container with Support the Troops armbands, pins, and window cling ribbons for the initial trade items. The clues and the final cache are winter friendly and the walk is child and pet friendly. In the winter or wet weather expect a bit of a slog through snow or high wet grass. In the spring and early summer or if it has been raining a lot, expect to encounter areas of ankle high water along the way. Please bring appropriate boots.
Enjoy the leisurely walk to the cache and perhaps reflect on the sacrifice that some have given on behalf of all of us.