People line the Brock St. bridge
to pay tribute to the six soldiers
killed in Afghanistan.
(Ernest Doroszuk, Sun Media)
Posted on 07/09/2007 2:02:32 AM PDT by Clive
Crowds line highway for fallen soldiers
Hundreds line GTA overpasses to honour slain soldiers
Overpasses along Hwy. 401 were again lined with a sea of red and white last night as hundreds of people gathered to honour the six soldiers killed in Afghanistan last week.
"I feel very proud, somewhat overwhelmed," said Sgt. Gary Foster, based at 32 CFHSC in Toronto. "I wasn't sure if there would be two people or 200. I'm taken aback by all the support."
Foster joined hundreds of people who began lining the overpasses in Whitby before the six soldiers even landed on Canadian soil last night.
"I came out just to support the guys and girls over there," he said. "Being a soldier, I have to support my own."
The dead soldiers -- Capt. Matthew Dawe, Cpl. Jordan Anderson, Pte. Lane Watkins and Pte. Cole Bartsch, all based at CFB Edmonton; and Capt. Jefferson Francis from CFB Shilo, Man., and Master Cpl. Colin Bason, a reservist from New Westminster, B.C. -- were greeted at CFB Trenton by their families, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier and other dignitaries yesterday.
SHOWED SUPPORT
As they did two weeks ago when the bodies of Cpl. Stephen Bouzane, Pte. Joel Wiebe and Sgt. Christos Karigiannis returned to Canada, people line several overpasses from Northumberland County to Durham as the convoy carrying the six fallen soldiers made its was along Hwy. 401.
People also showed their support last night on the bridges in Toronto.
U.S.-born James Carlos Cruz, who serves in the U.S. Navy and was visiting family in Scarborough, was surprised by the outpouring of support on Conlins Rd.
AMAZED
"I've never seen anything like this before," he said of the few dozen people on the overpass.
Toronto paramedics and police had the overpasses covered from Port Union Rd. to the Don Valley Pkwy., where the convoy was expected to head south to make its way to the coroner's office in Toronto.
"It's very important for people who wear a uniform, who serve their community whether its at home or abroad, to support our colleagues," Durham paramedic Rob Johnstone said as he waited for the convoy to go through Whitby. "We wear the flag on our uniform as well and I couldn't be more proud of this country."
The murmur of the crowd erupted into applause as the six hearses appeared on the horizon.
Men removed their caps, some people broke down in tears, and police blocking the roads emerged from their cruisers to offer a salute.
Wearing his support on his red and white T-shirt, Kevin VanDehock brought his family -- wife Jasmine and two sons, Kevin Jr. 10, and Sam, 6 -- to the Brock St. bridge in Whitby to teach his kids "the importance of our rights and our freedoms."
"I hope everyone in this country will stand up, raise a flag or just say a prayer for our soldiers overseas."
People line the Brock St. bridge
to pay tribute to the six soldiers
killed in Afghanistan.
(Ernest Doroszuk, Sun Media)
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Thank you for this post, Clive.
bttt
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