Quote:
Originally Posted by charlene
there have been large crowds on the overpasses in the most bitter cold.
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i don't think i mentioned this: last time i came back from eastern ontario, i took the wife and kid to Trenton airfield in the morning to show where her uncle was being transferred and where the fallen soldiers are flown into for ceremonies before they start the trek along the highway...she was especially moved to see the forces base...her close relative is one of those who checks for roadside bombs, has been for years
anyhow, i hadn't realized that later that afternoon a flight was coming in and there was to be, unfortunately, yet another procession along the highway...i said if we hadn't been on a 'schedule' and it wasn't so windy and bitter cold that it would be a wonderful feeling to hang around for a few hours, find an overpass and pay our respects...she was surprised to hear that even in the winter, folks would gather on those bridges where the windchill was at it's peak
as we continued our drive back westbound, I kept describing the typical scene I had witnessed all too many time previously...it was now merely noon and the procession wouldn't be starting until mid afternoon...but then as we started approaching an overpass somewhere between Trenton and Toronto, I was shocked to see a few figures in the distance, waving a large flag...I couldn't believe they were out on that windy overpass so many hours ahead of time...as we got closer I nudged my wife and said "look up at the overpass, this is what I was talking about"...within seconds my wife's face was streaming with tears of sadness/joy
I rolled down the window as we drove under and gave these troopers a huge thumbs up....somehow that moment was more moving to me than times where I have actually been on a crowded overpass...I think Tim Horton's should deliver free coffee to all those who religiously, line those overpasses
