The Rath Eastlink Community Centre parking lot filled with motorcycles as the Highway of Heroes event landed in Truro. Photo by ContributedArticle contentTRURO – The Highway of Heroes event was held on Aug 16, starting at 12 Wing Shearwater and ending at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre (RECC) in Truro. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe event started properly at 1 pm, with an artillery salute. Following the main ride to Truro, the event featured a barbecue, giveaways, music from Terry Kelly, and several other activities. This tribute to Canadian veterans was founded eight years ago by George Anthis, an army veteran who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Article contentArticle contentArticle content“I always wanted to go to the Ontario Highway of Heroes to pay respects,” said Anthis. “But I was a single full-time father of two great kids. So, nine years ago, I thought of the idea of creating a similar thing here.”Article contentAnthis spoke with a few motorcyclist friends and organized the first Nova Scotia Highway of Heroes, with 56 motorcycles participating. Over 500 drivers now participate in the drive, including flyovers by the military in previous years. The event honors not only military veterans, but also police, EMS, and essentially anyone who has served Canada in some capacity. Article contentMotorcycle events require registration fees, including this one, but Anthis decided to do something different. Article content“I don’t like that idea, so I decided to give everything away,” said Anthis. “I convinced myself to become a non-profit and have spent over $70,000 on these rides. The focus of this ride is to honor fallen veterans, and I felt this was the best way to do that.”Article contentArticle contentAny revenue generated by the event is donated to community funds that Anthis believes could use the money better, such as the Eastern Passage Community Fridge. Article contentAnother goal of the event is to get as many people out to the event as possible, often with Anthis not knowing who he managed to get out of the house until after the event. This year, the guests of honor were two Silver Cross’s mothers; Anna Loveman from Ontario, who lost her son in Afghanistan, and Maureen Anderson from New Brunswick, who lost both her sons.Article content“Each year I get to see someone who I haven’t heard from in many years,” says Doug Saunders, vice-president of the Highway of Heroes. “There are so many people who are stuck in their homes due to mental health issues. Even if we get just one person out, that makes a massive difference that we find most important.”Article contentFinally, the event had several active military members present, including the Skyhawks parachute team, who jumped in at 11 a.m. over the Shearwater Sports Field. Anthis is hopeful that next year can be better than ever, but he is content doing what he can to spread his message of honor and assistance. Article content“There are so many people that I want to thank for giving me this opportunity; family, friends, military, police, and emergency responders alike. Everyone who helps make this happen is worth spending the time to celebrate, giving us a time of honor like no other.” Article content The poster promoting the Highway of Heroes ride. Photo by ContributedArticle content
Nova Scotia celebrates eight years of the Highway of Heroes
