September 8: A White Cross in Whitecourt

At the Portraits of Honour stop in Whitecourt, a large white cross stood in front of the Portraits of Honour stage, surrounded by wreaths and cadets saluting.  Under the blazing sun, the crowd stood silent, pondering the sacrifice made by those depicted on the mural. 

A local singer, who hauntingly sang “Highway of Heroes” by The Trews, pierced the silence of the crowd.  As one looked upon the fallen heroes, it was almost as if they were sharing their thoughts through the lyrics of the song:

The day I shipped out,

They numbered a dozen.

Upon my return,

Were a hundred or so.

From the coast and from the prairies,

I bet they keep coming.

add one more name from Ontario.

 

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.

 

I served with distinction,

No visions of glory.

I served without question,

Or personal gain.

Seek no justification,

It's not part of my story.

And it offers no comfort to the ones who remain.

 

I took up my vocation,

I was called by my nation.

Without hesitation,

My answer I gave.

Now I am not wondering,

Bout the things that I might have been.

There's no consolation,

To the forgotten brave.

 

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.

Like the lyrics in the song so movingly portray, these heroes did not ask for distinction, or glory or personal gain. They did not hesitate when called to duty. They gave all that they had for the love of our nation.

And now, every town or city that welcomes the Portraits of Honour, every person who stands before the mural in silence, and every family that gives a little to help those coming home who need it, show their gratitude for that true patriot love as we build our own Highway of Heroes from coast to coast.