Veteran’s Affairs Canada Partnership
Left to Right: Master Corporal Amar Dhaliwal, 32nd Canadian Brigade Group; John Henry, Chair, Durham Region; Jennifer O'Connell, MP for Pickering-Uxbridge; Corporal Nick Kerr; The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada; The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada; Don Mitchell, Mayor of Whitby; Mark Cullen, HoH Chairman and Co-Founder; and Celina Caesar-Chavannes, former MP for Whitby
On June 14th, 2019 the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, joined the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs, to attend a Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign community event. There, Canadian Armed Forces member, Corporal Nick Kerr, was presented with the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation for outstanding dedication to volunteer work with the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign. The Prime Minister and Minister MacAulay also highlighted the 2019 Federal Budget proposal to provide $2.9 million through Veterans Affairs Canada over three years, to support the construction of the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute.
The presentation of the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation to Corporal Nick Kerr highlighted what the campaign has come to mean to those that have served in the Armed Forces. Corporal Kerr served in Afghanistan in 2006. Over the last three years, he has volunteered and attended over 15 Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign events, sometimes driving for hours to be able to participate and in this case, flying out from Edmonton to attend.
“Since my very first planting, I've found a sense of closure from the pain I had when I lost my friends, helping to heal some of the non-visible wounds I brought home from Afghanistan in the process,” said Corporal Kerr. “I prefer an army of trees standing at attention over more stone cenotaphs. I was a pallbearer for eight friends I lost, and every time I plant a tree, I think, 'That one is for you, buddy.'"
"It was an honour to join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today to announce $2.9 million in support of the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute,” said Minister MacAulay. “This project will serve as a reminder for all Canadians to remember the service and sacrifice that Canada’s veterans and fallen heroes have made for our country. With over $10 billion invested in our veterans and their families in the last four years, we understand just how important it is to ensure they have the support and respect they deserve."