A portion of the Don Valley Parkway and a trail of downtown Toronto streets leading to the Ontario coroner's office have been designated as a "Route of Heroes" to honour Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
At a ceremony Monday, Toronto Mayor David Miller announced the route which will begin at the intersection of Hwy. 401 and the DVP, extending to the Bloor Street exit and along several city arteries which previous convoys have followed.
Processions have typically begun at CFB Trenton in eastern Ontario, traveling along a portion of Hwy. 401 which has been renamed "Highway of Heroes."
David Adamson, a Royal Canadian Legion member, expressed gratitude to Canadian military personnel.
"We owe a debt of gratitude to those who paid the supreme sacrifice, particularly with yesterday being the 66th anniversary of D-Day and the 65th anniversary of the Second World War ending in Europe," he said.
"It was through those sacrifices that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.
"Our Canadian soldiers continue to serve in these missions, particularly in Afghanistan to ensure that these freedoms are enjoyed elsewhere in the world.
"I think Don Cherry says it best: ‘We are the best.'"
Monday's ceremony follows the death of the 147th member of the Canadian military during the Afghan conflict.
Sgt. Martin Goudreault of Sudbury, Ont., died when a makeshift bomb went off on Sunday in southern Afghanistan.
