Highway of Heroes (Never Had a Chance to Say Goodbye)

In Ontario, when a Canadian soldier dies for his country in Afghanistan they touch Canadian soil at Canadian Forces Base Trenton. From there, a funeral procession leaves the base and heads to Toronto, Ontario taking our departed heroes to the Centre for Forensic Sciences. Along the 172km path of Highway 401 people fill the overpasses to show their support, waving Canadian flags and signs, in a sort of paying their respects to the fallen and their families.

The Ontario "Highway of Heroes" Petition to Ontario Ministry of Transportation was created by members of Milnet.ca and written by James Forbes (forcerecon85@hotmail.com).

On August 24, 2007 it was announced that Ontario's provincial government consulted the federal government, municipalities along the highway and the Royal Canadian Legion and on September 7, 2007 it was official, a stretch of the 401 would be renamed 'Highway of Heroes'. The highway will not lose its official designation as the MacDonald-Cartier Freeway, but signs would be erected designating the route as the Highway of Heroes.

The Song 'Highway of Heroes' was recorded as an extension of the emotion expressed when thousands of Canadians voiced their desired to honour our fallen soldiers by having a part of the 401 renamed. Hopefully, when the song is heard, it will remind everyone to take a moment and reflect on what is truly important in their lives.