This one just got to me tonight while watching the news.
Lt. Justin Garrett Boyes, 26 survived by his wife Alanna and son, James, 3.
In Kandahar, Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance called Boyes "a dedicated family man" who spent every possible moment with his wife and son.
"Growing up in Saskatchewan, he was an easy-going Prairie boy who preferred sitting around the backyard with good friends, his family and a cold drink."
-- Edited by 73SC on Wednesday 28th of October 2009 10:17:33 PM
-- Edited by 73SC on Tuesday 3rd of November 2009 06:52:21 PM
-- Edited by 73SC on Friday 25th of June 2010 04:33:22 PM
It must be an age thing Ray. 10 years ago, bad as it sounds, I could read those and they didn't affect me. Now every time I see one of those in the paper I have the same problem. It just doesn't seem right when this happens.........
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
I hate hearing this! I have a friend over there right now. His tour is almost done. We e-mail each other from time to time. Soon Lest we Pray They come home for good.
When I heard "survived by his wife Alanna and son, James, 3." it got me, I can't get this out of my mind. It's not the way Alanna's and Jame's life was suppose to be.
We should empty out the jails, and send those boys over...
My truck wears this with such great pride, and sorrow. Its hard for me to even put to words what I feel for what they do for us. It puts things into perspective; tomorrow when I get up the first thing out of my mouth is its another day in paradise
I'll be on a bridge, Ray, no matter what, to mark his passing and to help indicate to the family that Canadians care. If I'm called into Toronto on business, or anywhere east of there, I WILL get to a bridge at the appropriate time.
His plane lands at Trenton -- probably at 2:00 pm Friday. I'll post when the date is made public.
All you Southern Ontario guys, please take note. If you are ANYWHERE near the 401 (Highway of Heroes) between 2:30 and 5:00 pm on the day a cortege passes, attend your nearest overpass and join the regular folks who solemnly indicate their support for our troops and their families. Bring a small or large flag. Your attendance has nothing to do with supporting the government (or not). It's all about showing the families that we care about the terrible loss of their loved one.
2:30 pm nearest Trenton.....5:00 pm on the DVP between the 401 and Bloor. And, obviously, various times in between. For example, if you work near Pickering, ask the boss if you can leave a few minutes early and get to an overpass at around 4:15 or 4:30.
Note: These times are approximate. They depend on the weather, the amount of traffic and the actual number of heroes returning. When 4, 5 or 6 return together, it happens much later as the ceremony in Trenton takes considerably longer.
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-- Edited by 67HEAVEN on Thursday 29th of October 2009 07:32:49 AM
Allow me to tell a brief story on how I first got involved in the Highway of Heroes, when it was simply the 401.
Three years ago, last June, we purchased a home east of Oshawa and I spent many an evening and weekend (for two months) renovating before we moved. One evening, I was too tired to keep working, so I headed home on the westbound 401.
Something caught my eye in the mirror............waaaaay back behind me. Flashing red and white lights. They were several miles back, at first, but they were coming very fast. At first I thought it was an ambulance.........but no, there were too many lights.......and no one was pulling over.
Then, I thought it must be an escort of some kind; but for what??? Remember, this was the summer of 2006.
I always have my camera with me. By the time I reached into the centre console and got it turned on, this is what I saw.
I had slowed to 110, not knowing what was up, but no one was pulling off to the side, so I kept driving and scratching my head. Maybe they were just politicians???
They blew by me like I was standing still. Had to be doing 150, at least.
And what, I thought, was a white Caddy with flags on the fender doing in the procession?
And, then, the penny dropped for me. It was Canada's Governor General in that Caddy.
I saw no one on any bridges. I'm sure it was a very lonely two-hour trip for those six families of the fallen that evening. That's right. This was one of those terrible days when six dead heroes came home together.
In the days following, people started attending the bridges in silent tribute. I've been on a bridge for every procession since. If I have an appointment, I change it. If I'm away from home, I find another bridge on the route. If it's raining, I'm wet. If it's snowing, I'm cold......but I'm on a bridge. What those brave young people have sacrificed demands recognition.
So Very Sad...Way too Young for this to happen, Again. I will be on the bridge in Spirit.
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1960 Pontiac Strato Chief Safari 1960 Laurentian Safari 1960 Laurentian 4door(scrapped) 2001 Grand Am Traded on a '96 Suburban 2WD 2002 Hyundai Accent(SOLD) 1968 Grand Parisienne Scrapped and SOLD
Although a very sad situation I'm happy but not surprised to see such great respect from members here!.
Each time we lose another lad I say a prayer for their family and always salute their picture when I see them appear on my computer screen or the TV.
My kids questioned me when they first saw me doing this but it's been a great way for them to learn to take a moment to understand the seriousness of the situation also thank and offer respect to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice..
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I like real cars best...especially the REAL real ones! ----------------------------------------------------------------
Just found out today anther group from 2PPCLI are heading out. An honor Guard of Vets stood out in a row saluting them as they left the Kapyong Barracks today. Now thats an Honor Guard! Vets Saluting them as they leave in the wet and cold they stand and Salute in full dress... Need I say more?
Tentative repatriation of Canadian soldier 2 p.m. Saturday. Oct. 31
OTTAWA -- The anticipated arrival time for the remains of the late Lieutenant Justin Boyes, 26, from Saskatchewan, is 2. p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, CFB Trenton, Ontario.
I don't really know what to say about the whole thing it is saddening and frustrating. I just hope they have not died in vein and a end is near. And yes it brought a tear to my eye also.
-- Edited by 57poncho on Thursday 29th of October 2009 02:55:44 PM
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1957 Pathfinder deluxe 4 door wagon 1961 Pontiac Parisienne bubble top Traded for a Harley sorry guys.
You, and everyone here, would be welcome, Todd. You'll notice several things during your bridge visit. Firstly, the number of people keeps growing as the time approaches. Secondly, almost every vehicle passing underneath will beep, wave or hold a Canadian flag out the window. It's as if the people in the cars are telling us they'd like to be on the bridge too.
When these tributes first got going, most didn't know why people were standing on the bridges with flags. Now, thanks to the media and word of mouth, almost everyone driving past knows.
Arms out the windows making the "V" sign.....beep, beep, beep......or a blast on the air-horn from a trucker. It never stops.
I find that U.S. truckers seem to make the most noise as similar demonstrations of public recognition have not been encouraged down there until recently......and boy do those truckers support their and our troops.
And, finally, as the procession approaches from off in the distance, an eerie silence spreads across the bridge and people are lost in their thoughts as they honour the fallen.
As suddenly as they appear............they're gone.
Sapper Steven Marshall, 24, of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton was killed in the blast while on foot patrol in Panjwai district in Kandahar province.
Bad new for sure this Hero is from the same base that my friend is at right now PPCLI out of Shilo Edmonton. I don't know if he's in the same Infantry troop as Mr Marshall. I sent an e-mail, and nothing back yet? He will let me know in his time. As I type this its hard, it sure has brought home the reality of just what these men and women are going through. Modern day HERO'S in my book. Thank you again for you posts 67Heaven, and your dedication to these fine young Canadians they deserve our greatest thanks and reverence.
Bad new for sure this Hero is from the same base that my friend is at right now PPCLI out of Shilo Edmonton. I don't know if he's in the same Infantry troop as Mr Marshall. I sent an e-mail, and nothing back yet? He will let me know in his time. As I type this its hard, it sure has brought home the reality of just what these men and women are going through. Modern day HERO'S in my book. Thank you again for you posts 67Heaven, and your dedication to these fine young Canadians they deserve our greatest thanks and reverence.
Rolilk,
I do little, but together, those of us on the bridges offer some brief comfort to the families passing by. About a year ago, I saw a revealing interview of the wife of one of the fallen. In it, she stated that she was so overcome that she didn't want to do or say anything during the trip from Trenton to Toronto. She just wanted to suffer the trip with her eyes closed.
As the trip began, her escort officer asked her to look at the bridges. She wouldn't.....she couldn't. He kept asking, as bridge after bridge went by. He grew insistent. He told her she MUST see what Canadians feel for her husband's sacrifice.
Finally, she began to look and was overwhelmed by emotion as she saw thousands of ordinary Joe Canadians standing in honour of her husband.....one bridge after another. She says she'll never forget the support and how it made her feel.
As the processions pass, windows in the family limos (provided to escort the close relatives) roll down, and arms and faces appear as they shout thank you to those on the bridges, as they pass. The lead and following OPP cars blip their sirens and wave. Even the hearse drivers wave. It's hard to forget moments like those.
At 2:30 pm today, I'm heading to the Highway of Heroes, one more time. Any of you within an hour or two of the HoH simply must experience it for yourselves sometime soon.
