The provincial government is providing $1 million for the Highway of Heroes Tree Planting Campaign.
On Thursday morning at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney, MPP (Minister) Todd Smith, and other dignitaries were on hand to announce the funding.
The campaign’s goal is to plant 117,000 trees along the HOH (Trenton-Toronto). 117,000 Canadian Service Members have died serving the country since confederation.
Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney says it is vital to thank our service women and men for their sacrifices for this country.
Silver Cross mother and father Barbara and Ron Johnson lost their son, Private Andrew Johnson, while serving in Bosnia. Barbara Johnson says she is touched by what the HOH Tree Campaign gives to our veterans, both living and deceased.
CFB Trenton Base Commander Colonel Ryan Deming says the pandemic has made this an even larger priority.
Mark Cullen is the co-founder of the HOH Tree Campaign. He says the project has so many supporters coast to coast to coast.
MPP Todd Smith says the base continues to serve the Quinte region, the province, the country, and Canadians. He mentioned their service during the pandemic.
Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison says Quinte West has donated $100,000 to the project in the past and is honoured to continue supporting it to this day.
A new member of the Quinte West OPP Trevor Vautour is a former Master Corporal with the armed forces (ret.). He was injured during his service, which included Africa and Afghanistan. Vautour was moved by the importance of the project for his fallen brothers and sisters.
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The entire announcement can be heard below.
CLICK HERE FOR THE HOH TREE CAMPAIGN
Several dignitaries were also presented with Vimy Oak Trees, which have their roots traced back to the Battle at Vimy.
