Sapper Marshall's cortege passed by Span Bridge in Toronto at 4:35 pm. I was going to take more photos today but I had something much more important to do. An elderly woman asked me to help her drape our flag over the overpass guard rail.
We held the largest flag on our bridge so we were positioned directly over the left lane. It was cold and windy in the evening twilight so the rest of those there huddled around us. My finger tips are still a little numb. Today I noticed each and every face in the cars below, I saw each and every wave. Sapper Marshall would have been a guy we'd all like to know. I know this by the bravado with which the hands waved from each and every window of the passing limousines. It warmed my heart.
when i was standing on the overpass a lady was handing everyone a lapel pin to honour those canadians who gave so much for the cause of peace and freedom. www.vac-acc.gc.ca
73SC, Stephenzone, rarechev, and others.......there are several of us fortunate enough to live close to the HoH route.
You can tell by our postings that it affects us more than we can say. Now, I ask each of you to make sure the sound on your computer is turned up, and you have a few minutes to see and hear an amazing song written and sung by CFRB's Bob Reid with Triumph's Rik Emmett on lead guitar.
Let the images wash over you. Let the words get to you. I did.....they will. And, in particular, watch for the part of the video where the cortège squeezes past a stopped rush-hour 401 as it approaches the camera.
If you haven't been on a bridge........no matter what it takes.........get there. You'll never forget it. Our heroes deserve it.
And, now..........................the Highway of Heroes.................
-- Edited by 67HEAVEN on Wednesday 4th of November 2009 08:51:35 PM
that was amazing, while it was playing i was thinking i should ask you if it was available on cd but then at the end it said it was at hmv. thankyou for posting it.
Wow......thanks for posting that beautiful song and images Bob.
I mentioned that I sent my story posted earlier to all of our Canadian staff the other day and yesterday I took our boss along with me.
Today first thing, Jim our CEO came to my office and thanked me for taking him and he expressed how moving the experince was. He was overcome with emotion nodded to me and left my office.
Later today near 4:00 pm our Communications Director came to my office. As Marianne began to speak she started to cry, this crying is not our normal office deportment but she did and she started to sob. I wondered what was wrong but in an instant she gained composure and told me how beautiful my few sentence were and what it meant to her. She told me she had my words loaded and ready to be posted on our website and she was asking for my permission to go ahead.
Of course I too welled up and here we are two senior members of the management team consoling each other. That must have been some picture. Well what a priviledge to have my simple words posted on our website for all Canadians to read.
It was late in the day so they are not there yet but will be tomorrow. I will post the link when it's ready.
I have to say that on one of my trips two Montreal. I was going east when one of these motorcades was coming the other way. the one that i seen was unbelievable the 401 got complety empty and WOW what a feeling in my throat and gut as it gets closer.I had a hard time holding back the tears.It was a sight that i will never forget.
...................unbelievable the 401 got complety empty and WOW what a feeling in my throat and gut as it gets closer.
I had a hard time holding back the tears.
It was a sight that i will never forget.
How right you are, Brian. Although photos help to tell the story, until you've seen it in person, you will not understand the feelings that come over you as they approach. Yes....unbelievable.
Tell me.........do the families appreciate it?
I know I've said it before. But, the next time you hear that a Canadian soldier has fallen, get to a bridge along the route. You WILL never forget it.
Thanks for all your support fellows, one of our coworker is overthere right now working on the Chinooks and 2 more are going over the new year, I am praying for them ...
Unfortunately, we all have another reason to get to a bridge in the next few days.
#134 - Lt. Andrew Richard Nuttall, 30, belonged to the 1st Battalion Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton. A native of Victoria, B.C., he is survived by his mother Jane and father Richard.
Arrival time has not been confirmed, but the trip down the Highway of Heroes will likely occur on Sunday or Monday. It's hard to imagine a worse time for his passing. Imagine, as his family has been preparing for Christmas, and now this.
Please make every effort to join in honouring his passing. I'll post the date and time when it's announced.
As we enter this most joyous of seasons, and many of us have extra days away from work, now may be the time to review the loss of so many young Canadians in service to their country.
CTV has put up a page that presents a brief bio and photo for each of the fallen, sorted both alphabetically as well as year-by-year since 2002.
There are no words to express our appreciation to Lt. Nuttall and his family and all those that have sacrificed before him, in Afghanistan, Korea, WWII and WWI and other conflicts.
We are priviledged to live in this great land and it is only by the sacrifices and honour of the few who serve that we can enjoy a safe and blessed Christmas, now and always.
