Show your support at the Heroes Highway Ride and Rally

By Cecilia Nasmith

Among pre-COVID events making a comeback, the Heroes Highway Ride and Rally returns to Port Hope June 4 after a two-year COVID hiatus.

Organizer Brian Stacey's hope is that the event might serve as a conduit to support veterans and their families, together with the community in solidarity.

For many people, Stacey explained, thoughts of honouring our veterans conjure images of November services honouring Second World War and Korean War veterans who won our freedom in combat in the '40 and '50s. Stacey wants to see a shift to include those who have defended democracy in Afghanistan (and now, in some cases, Ukraine) in these remembrances.

“It's really about the support of veterans that are still here, as well as their families – it's amazing how many veterans will be part of this event,” he said.

The riders used to assemble at the Trenton's Air Force Museum, but there are still some COVID restrictions there. Fortunately Trenton-Quinte West has offered the use of its Operations Centre at 117 North Murray St. - which is actually a good bit closer to Highway 401 for when the riders take to the highway.

The plan is for a 12:15 p.m. arrival, with ceremonies at 1 p.m., music at 1:30 p.m., and displays and activities through the afternoon in both Memorial Park and Rotary Park across the street.

Representatives of the Port Hope Legion and the Hastings-Prince Edward Regiment (whose last commander will be one of the riders) will be set up. The Wounded Warriors organization will be represented (with some of their merchandise for sale in support of their work of veterans with PTSD), as will The Commandos motorcycle club that responds to the needs of veterans and their families. Other motorcycle groups participating include the Lindsay-based Kawartha Charity Riders and the Oshawa-based Infinity Motorcycle Cruisers, who both work for community causes.

And some great music is in store, thanks to the Terry Crawford Band – who actually spent three years opening for the Beach Boys.

And, of course, there is the thrill of welcoming perhaps as many as 3,000 riders from as far away as the East Coast, with St. John Ambulance bringing up the rear as they exit Highway 401 and head downtown.

It's all 100% free, all done by volunteers – Stacey on the Port Hope end, and Lou DeVuono and Dave Wilson on the Trenton end.

And the support of our veterans and their families is the reason for the ride. Allowing for the two-year COVID hiatus, this is the 12th annual ride along the Highway of Heroes – so named, because it was the route taken when military casualties from Afghanistan were repatriated to Canada, landing at CFB Trenton and being taken to the coroner at Downsview.

And it is the fifth year it is making a stop in Port Hope.

“This ride is growing, and the number of veterans that actually ride in it is amazing,” Stacey said.

“People don't realize how many veterans are actually riding – they see it and think, 'motorcycle guys.'”

In fact, the typical Heroes Highway Ride and Rally biker is a veteran at some stage of the game, perhaps honourably retired after a career of serving a grateful nation or perhaps a younger one still on active duty.

Along with honouring the veterans, Stacey has planned the day as a way of supporting the community as well. He urges everyone not to forget to bring along a canned or non-perishable donation for Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank, whose volunteers will be set up both in the park and on Walton Street. And it comes at a time when the affordability of food has become a hot issue for almost everyone.

He has visited the downtown restaurants and businesses, encouraging them to set up special displays and promotions, and is pleased to report that the Thirsty Goose has extended its patio and will be holding a pancake breakfast in support of Fare Share.

The last Heroes Highway Ride and Rally in 2019 was a landmark event that included the National Silver Cross Mother and a stop by the Invictus Games people, bringing the flag to Memorial Park on their way to the games in Toronto.

Picking up an event after a two-year hiatus would be a challenge at any time – but after the disruptions of COVID, organizers are facing things like expenses that have skyrocketed, people who have moved on and are no longer affiliated with former organizations, communications set-ups that have changed (and, in some cases, eroded).

But they persist, and hope the community will get behind them.

“The message I really want to get out this year is to get the community to come out and show their support,” Stacey said.

For more information on the ride, check out their website here.