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Auburn Annie · 02-04-2009, 01:22 PM

From the Toronto Sun:

Farewell to 'another hero'
Police, Lightfoot honour fallen soldier

By JOE WARMINGTON

Last Updated: 4th February 2009, 2:39am

It is true that in a flag-draped casket Sean Greenfield came home alone.

But he was not alone.

No Canadian soldier killed in the line-of-duty in Afghanistan ever is.

Greenfield, 25, whose family lives near Petawawa, was death No. 108, which means 108 times people have stood on overpasses along a stretch of Hwy. 401 known as Highway of Heroes or along the Don Valley Pkwy. or along Grenville St. -- the end of the trip from battle to the Ontario coroner's office.

Every time is emotional. Yesterday was no different.

"Unforgettable," says Canadian entertainment icon Gordon Lightfoot. "It will never leave my mind."

As always, Toronto Police were on hand, Toronto EMS personnel, firefighters, parking enforcement officers, military, the mounted unit and members of the public.

"Police stand with our brothers and sisters in the military," explains Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair, who has been to repatriations at CFB Trenton and here. "Canadians right across the Highway of Heroes and in the City of Toronto are here to honour another hero but it is sad to be here."

Lightfoot, the Canadian music legend who has been a staunch supporter of the troops and with Blair shared the stage of a rally at Dundas Square in 2006, says he is proud of the men and women who make the sacrifice that going to war asks.

Wearing a red toque and a yellow ribbon pin on his jacket, he describes them as "brave."

Armed forces Capt. Hal Buller agrees, adding the soldiers are also people who have "great Canadian values" which do not go unnoticed in Afghanistan. "We have ambassadors in many different countries and I believe every one of these soldiers are Canadian ambassadors."

Clearly this phenomenon of public support, which has been written about in the United States and Great Britain, is not waning.

Sun Media's Pete Fisher tells me out on the Highway of Heroes there were many bridges and overpasses packed with Canadians with flags and thank yous, which included the sombre but soothing bagpipes of Gordon Hunter from the Cobourg Legion. And in Toronto, the emotions led to lots of tears. Many choked up when the escort officer stepped out of the hearse and headed to the procession to thank all of those in uniform and from civilian ranks.

It was especially moving since Cpl. Gregory Hunter was in the same vehicle in which Greenfield died Jan. 31.

The first person he hugged was Angela Downey, whose son, Brendan, died July 4, 2008. He then hugged Brendan's dad, Neil.

"Our son was No. 86," says Neil. "We have come down here for every one since."

If there are more, the Downeys -- sister Joanna, and brother Andrew -- will be there. "They are such beautiful young boys," says Angela.

You could see tears in Hunter's eyes as he moved on. This brave soldier from Ottawa will be back with his 2 Combat Engineer Regiment out of Petawawa very soon.

As he and his fellow soldiers walked away, the crowd started to applaud.

The war continues. And we don't forget. Clearly these fine young people are in a dangerous situation and many times must feel alone.

They are not.

02-04-2009, 01:22 PM	#1
Auburn Annie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 3,101	Gord and the troops From the Toronto Sun: Farewell to 'another hero' Police, Lightfoot honour fallen soldier By JOE WARMINGTON Last Updated: 4th February 2009, 2:39am It is true that in a flag-draped casket Sean Greenfield came home alone. But he was not alone. No Canadian soldier killed in the line-of-duty in Afghanistan ever is. Greenfield, 25, whose family lives near Petawawa, was death No. 108, which means 108 times people have stood on overpasses along a stretch of Hwy. 401 known as Highway of Heroes or along the Don Valley Pkwy. or along Grenville St. -- the end of the trip from battle to the Ontario coroner's office. Every time is emotional. Yesterday was no different. "Unforgettable," says Canadian entertainment icon Gordon Lightfoot. "It will never leave my mind." As always, Toronto Police were on hand, Toronto EMS personnel, firefighters, parking enforcement officers, military, the mounted unit and members of the public. "Police stand with our brothers and sisters in the military," explains Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair, who has been to repatriations at CFB Trenton and here. "Canadians right across the Highway of Heroes and in the City of Toronto are here to honour another hero but it is sad to be here." Lightfoot, the Canadian music legend who has been a staunch supporter of the troops and with Blair shared the stage of a rally at Dundas Square in 2006, says he is proud of the men and women who make the sacrifice that going to war asks. Wearing a red toque and a yellow ribbon pin on his jacket, he describes them as "brave." Armed forces Capt. Hal Buller agrees, adding the soldiers are also people who have "great Canadian values" which do not go unnoticed in Afghanistan. "We have ambassadors in many different countries and I believe every one of these soldiers are Canadian ambassadors." Clearly this phenomenon of public support, which has been written about in the United States and Great Britain, is not waning. Sun Media's Pete Fisher tells me out on the Highway of Heroes there were many bridges and overpasses packed with Canadians with flags and thank yous, which included the sombre but soothing bagpipes of Gordon Hunter from the Cobourg Legion. And in Toronto, the emotions led to lots of tears. Many choked up when the escort officer stepped out of the hearse and headed to the procession to thank all of those in uniform and from civilian ranks. It was especially moving since Cpl. Gregory Hunter was in the same vehicle in which Greenfield died Jan. 31. The first person he hugged was Angela Downey, whose son, Brendan, died July 4, 2008. He then hugged Brendan's dad, Neil. "Our son was No. 86," says Neil. "We have come down here for every one since." If there are more, the Downeys -- sister Joanna, and brother Andrew -- will be there. "They are such beautiful young boys," says Angela. You could see tears in Hunter's eyes as he moved on. This brave soldier from Ottawa will be back with his 2 Combat Engineer Regiment out of Petawawa very soon. As he and his fellow soldiers walked away, the crowd started to applaud. The war continues. And we don't forget. Clearly these fine young people are in a dangerous situation and many times must feel alone. They are not.