Three Remembrance Week Events To Mark Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign 6th Anniversary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO, ON — Six years ago, the Highway of Heroes (HOH) Tree Campaign set out with a goal to plant 2 million trees to honour every Canadian who served in the country’s Armed Forces, and the 117,000 who paid the ultimate sacrifice. To date, 1.6 million trees have been planted on or along the Highway of Heroes in partnership with many municipalities, sponsors and donors across the country.

To celebrate its six-year anniversary, and to honour those who have served, The Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign and various partners held three Remembrance Week events throughout Ontario.

“When we started out on this journey back in 2015, we had a road to travel that was as long as any Canadian Highway,” says Mark Cullen, Chair and Co-Founder of the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign. “Six years on, we have reached our initial fundraising goal, and have now planted over 75% of our 2 million tree goal. It has been extraordinarily meaningful to be able to celebrate this progress over the past week with so many of the partners who made this possible at many sites that will showcase trees in prominent public spaces.”

On November 1st, an event was held at the Ontario Regiment Museum in partnership with the City of Oshawa to break ground on a two-phased tree planting that will start later this month. Once complete, this site will house 700 trees that will be part of the Highway of Heroes Tree Tribute. At this event, dignitaries including Mark Cullen (Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign), Jeremy Blowers (Ontario Regiment Museum), Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter, MP Colin Carrie (Oshawa), and MPP Jennifer French (Oshawa) addressed the community. This was followed by the ceremonial planting of the first tree that is part of this collaboration. 

“It is my pleasure to welcome back to our community, the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign, which is generously planting another living tribute to our fallen military heroes here in Oshawa,” said Mayor Dan Carter. “It is particularly fitting that these trees will stand watch over the Ontario Regiment Museum and the newly designated Heritage Conservation District at the Oshawa Executive Airport South Field, both of which honour our City’s rich military past and traditions.”  

On November 4th, an event was held at Bain Park in Trenton, ON to unveil plaques commemorating the planting of 175 maple trees to honour Canadian Armed Forces members and celebrate the 175th anniversary of HOH Tree Campaign partner, St. George’s Anglican Church. This planting occurred in partnership with Maple Leaves Forever and the City of Quinte West. Dignitaries who participated in the event included Mark Cullen (Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign), Gerry Quick (St. Georges Anglican Church), Ken Jewett (Maple Leaves Forever), Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison, MPP Todd Smith (Bay of Quinte), Col. Ryan Deming (CFB Trenton), and a Colour Party ceremony.

"We are very proud of this program, which honours those who have served in our military protecting our country and our citizens, " remarked Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison. "This is a very important way to recognize their sacrifices in making our country a safe place to live.”

On November 8th, an event was held at the Garden Club of Toronto Memorial Garden across the street from the Coroner’s Office in Toronto, ON to unveil benches that were installed to enhance the garden as a space for reflection and remembrance. This garden and bench installation was possible with the partnership of the Garden Club of Toronto and the City of Toronto. Various dignitaries were on site to participate in the unveiling, including Mark Cullen (Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign), Joy Gray Donald (Garden Club of Toronto President), and Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak.

“There are few tributes as important as the ones we do for our veterans. The Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign is a remarkable and thoughtful way of saying “Thank you” to our veterans and leaving a lasting legacy that pays tribute to our military heroes," says Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak. "The creators and leadership of this program are to be commended for their hard work and tenacity, and I am proud to have parts of the project in York Centre.”

The Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign expects the final 400,000 trees to be planted in time for Remembrance Day, 2022. To learn more about The Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign, or to donate, please click here.

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About The Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign

When is a tree more than just a tree? The answer is when the tree is part of a memorial to honour Canada’s fallen heroes. We are planting 2 million trees for all Canadians that have served during times of conflict since Confederation and including the War of 1812. 117,000 of the most prominent trees will be planted along and near the stretch of the 401 known as the Highway of Heroes, one tree for every life lost while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. This tribute provides a myriad of environmental benefits and offers an opportunity to tell the story of those that have served in the Armed Forces, reminding future generations of the great debt we owe these courageous Canadians.

The Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign is funded by Veterans Affairs Canada, the Government of Ontario, Cullen’s Foods, Landscape Ontario, Forests Ontario, TD Bank, The City of Toronto, The City of Quinte West, Intact Public Entities, Harrington & Associates, Rotary District 7070, Maple Leaves Forever, and the Garden Club of Toronto. To learn more, visit www.hohtribute.ca.