Highway of Heroes Living Tribute

To mark the 1-year anniversary of the HOHTC, 150 trees were planted at Bain Park in Trenton. The park, which is located almost directly across the street from CFB Trenton, is also home to the Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial. In 2020, we returned to Bain Park once again and added a further 175 maple trees, in partnership with Anglican Churches Of Quinte West, to mark the Church’s 175th anniversary.

Living bridges, formed by the roots of trees. What a beautiful natural "structure."

Today is the 104th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. During this 3 day battle, 3, 598 Canadians paid the ultimate sacrifice. We planted a grove of the same number of trees to honour this historic battle. More to come on this exciting planting.

#tbt As we start thinking about what to plant in our yards this year, take a look at our post from last year to better understand what to look for find the perfect tree for your backyard.

Assigned to the Armour Corps, Norm MacMillan received basic training in Brampton, became a tank driver at Camp Borden and shipped overseas to Thursley Commons in the UK in 1943. Read Norm's full story here: https://www.hohtribute.ca/en/stories-honour/15-12-2020 Other Stories of Honour here: https://www.hohtribute.ca/en/remembrance/#honour Do you have a family story that you would like to share? Send them to [email protected]

Our Canadian Armed Forces are are always ready, willing and able to fight on our front lines - even against a microscopic enemy. Thank you!

Founded in 1865, Trinity College School (Official) (TCS) has been a contributing part of the Port Hope community for over 150 years. Over 1,400 alumni served in our wars and graduates continue to serve in the military. Thanks to the generosity of Maple Leaves Forever, TCS students were able to plant 186 maples on their school grounds in 2016, one for each of their compatriots who died fighting in our wars.

Plant the seed. Even if you won't be around to experience the fruit of your labour. Because someone else will.

Thank you so much to Reader's Digest and Our Canada for sharing the story of our campaign. We are so grateful to those who were inspired by this article to make a contribution to our campaign.

#tbt Last year, our co-founder and volunteer chair, Mark Cullen, Canada's Gardening Guru, pleaded for help in saving Toronto's oldest tree. This year, we are so excited to be able to say that it's been saved. Even though funding fell slightly short, City Council voted to cover the remaining cost and purchase the property that this centuries-old tree resides at. Thank you to everyone who supported this initiative and saved a part of Canada's history.

Last month marked 75 years of the UN working to maintain global peace and security. Thank you to all of our Canadian Armed Forces members wearing blue beret's and fighting for the human rights of those around the world.

Kyle Sinclair was known for his love of creating and fixing things. This led to the opening of his contracting company in Oshawa, Ontario, which he ran up until he joined the army at the age of 25. Kyle brought years of craftsmanship to his role as a vehicle technician, where he was keen to contribute to something bigger. Read more of Kyle's story here: https://www.hohtribute.ca//stories/craftsman-kyle-sinclair More Stories of Honour: https://www.hohtribute.ca/en/remembrance/#honour

Congratulations to this weeks The Trews Highway of Heroes CD winners: Marlene Whiteside Jolanta Szulc Joe Sap... Debbie MacKenzie Pat Thomas We will be reaching out to you directly to confirm your address for shipping. We're getting close to the end of our Draw. Only 10 more CDs will be raffled off! Make sure to donate OR 1) like our page AND The Trews page, 2) like this post or next Monday's Trews Draw promo post, and 3) share the post using #trewshighwayofheroes to be entered!

Only one week left to enter yourself in The Trews Highway of Heroes CD draw! Make sure to donate OR 1. like our page and the Trews page 2. like this post and 3. share the post using #trewshighwayofheroes for your chance to win.

Chief Johnson Paudash was known as The Gentle Sniper. He protected his brothers in arms and was "disregardful of danger". Read more of Chief Paudash's story here: https://www.hohtribute.ca//stories-h/chief-johnson-paudash More Stories of Honour here: https://www.hohtribute.ca/en/remembrance/#honour

Major Michelle Knight Mendes choose the Military as a career after the Cobourg Rotary Club chose her to be an exchange student to Brazil. She was known as a person who tried to make life more enjoyable for those around her by baking cookies, making cards or just being there when they needed a friendly ear. More of Michelle Mendes' story: https://www.hohtribute.ca//stories-h/major-michelle-mendes Other Stories of Honour: https://www.hohtribute.ca/en/remembrance/#honour

Lieutenant John James (Jim) Campbell served as an Artillery Officer through the battles of Regina Trench, Vimy Ridge, Arleux, Fresnoy, La Coulotte, Avion, Hill 70 and Passchendaele. He served continuously, except for 9 days leave. Read more about Jim Campbell here: https://www.hohtribute.ca//lieutenant-john-james-jim-campb More Stories of Honour here: https://www.hohtribute.ca/en/remembrance/#honour

#tbt Unfortunately, we have not been able to welcome volunteers to help with plantings this year but that doesn't mean we've stopped our planting efforts. Last month, we brought truck-loads of compost to Betty Sunderland Park in Toronto to prep the site for planting next Spring.

Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes. People above with their flags flying low. Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes. True Patriot Love, There was never more.... - The Trews , Highway of Heroes Win your own signed copy of The Trews single, Highway of Heroes. Donate OR 1. like our page and the Trews page 2. like this post and 3. share the post using #trewshighwayofheroes to be entered to win. See more

Corporal William (Billy) Joseph Ryan died during the Korean War. Acting as Platoon Sergeant, he desperately tried to organize a defense. Unfortunately, the resulting engagement cost him his life. Read more of Billy's story here: https://www.hohtribute.ca/en/stories-honour/29-10-2020 More Stories of Honour here: https://www.hohtribute.ca/en/remembrance/#honour

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER: Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign News & Updates. Spoiler Alert: Double Your Impact is back!

"Colombia’s second-largest city, Medellin, has embraced nature as a cooling solution. Instead of turning up the air conditioning, which in turn leads to a massive surge in power demand and further contributes to global warming, Medellin has implemented the ‘Green Corridors’ project, transforming 18 roads and 12 waterways into lush, green havens of cool shade. "

We are so excited to have been able to celebrate the planting of 500 more trees and shrubs at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre today; home of Canada's largest Veteran's Care Facility. Unfortunately, we were unable to invite volunteers to plant these trees but were able to welcome a few special guests to speak about the importance of this new Sunnybrook Memorial Arboretum. Today wouldn't have been possible without GrandTrees, Brydges Landscape Architecture Inc, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Mark Cullen, Canada's Gardening Guru, AGF Investments, Bullfrog Power, and St. Joseph Communications.

To celebrate National Forest Week, our friends at Forests Ontario are hosting a free tree-themed trivia event over Zoom with themed questions on tree ID, tree history, silviculture and more; plus, prizes for the winner! This virtual ‘Treevia’ event is being held on Thursday, September 24th from 12pm-1pm. They’re encouraging registration to secure your place. You can register here:

Thank you Cpl (Rtd.) Clarice Shen for volunteering to care for Canada’s first COVID-19 patient! Truly a selfless act.

Thank you so much Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority. We wouldn't be able to get our 2 million trees in the ground without your support and partnership.

This is such an important message. Focus on what you love and you will materialize more of it. Fortunately for us, we have the same love of tree as Julia! And we're manifesting more!

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER: Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign News & Updates

In August 2007, the Ministry of Transportation officially renamed the 170km stretch of the 401 between Trenton and Keele St. in Toronto the Highway of Heroes. This is due to the fact that this was the stretch that our fallen soldiers traveled when repatriated back to Canada from Afghanistan. Since then, other members of our Canadian Armed Forces have been repatriated down this same stretch of highway; every time, welcomed home by Canadians paying their respects on bridges as the procession passes by. This RCI article quotes our very own Donna Cansfield, previous transport minister, discussing the importance of this new name. We are so honoured to have her on our board, helping to create a living memorial to remember those who fought and served for our country.

Nous sommes très heureux de vous présenter une vidéo qui vous donne un aperçu d’un superbe site que nous avons planté le printemps dernier. Le boisé de Vimy, où coule le ruisseau Pringle, à Whitby, compte exactement 3 598 arbres, soit un pour chacun des militaires qui ont sacrifié leur vie lors des trois jours de combat sur la crête. Le design est inspiré du plan de bataille de l’armée canadienne. L’architecte paysagiste Scott Wentworth décrit comment s’est basée sur la forma...tion réelle des troupes pour déterminer la disposition des arbres. Nous avons d’abord tracé une ligne de 30 mètres pour reproduire la topographie de la crête de Vimy telle qu’illustrée sur une carte du champ de bataille datant du 9 avril 1917. Cette ligne est, du point géographique, orientée comme la crête. Nous avons aussi tenu compte des positions des brigades d’infanterie des quatre divisions canadiennes. Sur cette ligne évoquant la crête de Vimy, nous avons mis en terre quatre rangées d’érables sucriers en souvenir des quatre divisions du corps divisionnaire. À l’ouest de cette ligne, 10 groupes d’arbres distincts représentent les brigades d’infanterie canadiennes, leur position et leur orientation. #LeCanadasesesouvient

We are so excited to be able to show you a teaser video of an amazing site that was planted this spring. Our Vimy Grove at Pringle Creek, Whitby houses exactly 3,598 trees to represent the number of service members who sacrificed their lives during this 3-day battle. The design replicates the actual Canadian battlefield plan for this fight. Designer Scott Wentworth describes how they used the original battle formation as their inspiration for this planting. "We’ve started by ...establishing a line through the site that matches the 100’ topographic contour of Vimy Ridge, taken from a battle field map dated April 9th, 1917. The line is oriented to match that of Vimy Ridge, relative to true north. It also indicates the positions of the Canadian Infantry Brigades of the four Canadian Divisions that participated in the battle. This line representing Vimy Ridge is planted with four rows of Sugar Maple, symbolic of the four participating Canadian Divisions. The planting to the west of this line is broken into 10 distinct blocks of trees, each representing the Canadian Infantry Brigades, and oriented as they are portrayed in the field map." #CanadaRemembers

Today would have been our fourth annual Golf Tournament at the Port Hope Golf and Country Club, bringing together our supporters and members of our Armed Forces, past and present. This is always a very special day for the campaign as we celebrate our donors and the service members that our trees commemorate. This day typically consists of an 18-hole tournament, buffet dinner, speeches from dignitaries and members of the Armed Forces, and an auction of some graciously donated... items. Due to the unprecedented circumstances brought about by COVID-19, we were forced to postpone this event until next year. Having said that, we had already started receiving sponsorship and golf payment for this year’s tournament. After reaching out to each donor to let them know about the postponement, every one of them requested that their sponsorship or payment be redirected to planting trees. We would like to thank Rob and Susan Bell of Bell Kearns and Associates, Garth Stephanson, Col. Normand Jodoin, and Rick Faye’s team - Lou, Les, Jack, Al, Lorne - for their very generous contributions to our campaign. Fortunately, there is still next year and we are accepting registration for next years tournament now. If you are interested in sponsoring or golfing in next years Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign Golf Tournament, we ask that you please reach out to Brenda Hensley at [email protected]. Thank you again to all of our supporters, past and present, who have helped us get this far in our campaign. Without the incredible and continuous generosity of all of you, we would not have been able to plant the 739,918 trees that we have so far. Planting memories, one tree at a time.

Thank you so much to the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority for your incredible support over the years! We wouldn't be where we are today without you.

Who's excited for the weekend? This pup sure is! Wishing everyone a safe and sunny weekend.

Our sacrifices in the Korean War are still remembered and appreciated by the Government of the Republic of Korea. They have sent us PPE to distribute to Korean War Vets as an expression of gratitude.

What an amazing shot! The perspective of this world from a tree is incredible.

For a limited time through our Private Landowner Partnership Program, you can have a piece of the world’s largest living tribute while doing your part to protect our environment, beautify our communities and honour our Canadian Heroes. Check out our website for more information on our PLP program, getting us closer to 2 million trees in the ground by 2022! The PLP program is made possible through our partnership with Forests Ontario

We already have a new family being started at our 401/418 site. These trees will provide habitat for so many more new families in the coming years as they mature. We can’t wait to see this site - and all of our other sites - grow into a living tribute that provides shelter and sanctuary for local wildlife.

Congratulations to The Printing House Limited for being named one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2020. They are a printing partner and have been an incredible supporter of our campaign. Thank you for all that you do for us, for our pollinators and for the recycled paper industry.

We hope everyone had a safe long weekend. The rain was much appreciated by our trees and plants in general. Almost as appreciated as this Barcelona opera house reopening to 2,292 plants. Sun, rain and music. That's all they really need. Enjoy!

AUGUST NEWSLETTER: Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign News & Updates.

L'Ontario fournit un million de dollars pour planter des arbres le long de l’Autoroute des héros. Ce financement soutient la plantation de 117 000 arbres, un pour chaque soldat tombé au service du Canada depuis la Confédération: https://hohtribute.ca/updates/2020/7/30/nouvelles-mto Transports Ontario Caroline Mulroney Todd Smith Mark Cullen, Canada's Gardening Guru Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association City Of Quinte West