VANCOUVER — A stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway is being dedicated the "Highway of Heroes" in honour of British Columbia's nine Canadian Forces members killed in Afghanistan and four killed in other missions around the world.
The section of the highway, between Surrey and Abbotsford, will be unveiled Saturday during the second annual Memorial Ride for the Fallen.
Barry Drews, vice-president of the 3rd Canadian Army Veterans Ubique Unit, started the memorial ride last summer and inspired the dedication by nicknaming the stretch the "Westcoast Highway of Heroes."
The Ministry of Transportation contacted him shortly after to discuss officially renaming the highway, Drews said.
A section of Ontario's Highway 401 between Canadian Forces Base Trenton and Toronto was dubbed the Highway of Heroes in 2007 because it is routinely lined with civilians and veterans to honour each Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan during repatriation of the body.
Drews said he hopes to see other provinces do the same, so that soldiers are honoured coast to coast.
The dedication is especially meaningful for Ann Bason, whose son Master-Cpl. Colin Bason was killed by a roadside bomb in Kandahar in 2007. Her younger son, Beric, went missing on a fishing trip just days after his brother's death.
De Genova said his group worked with the province to determine the exact spot for the designation and the sign.
Saturday's unveiling will coincide with an annual memorial ride organized by local branch of the Canadian Army Veteran Motorcycle Units.
There have been 156 Canadian casualties in Afghanistan since Canada entered the war in 2002.
De Genova said Honour House will be open later this month. The land and 10-bedroom house were paid for with a $2.3-million interest-free loan from the province, and $500,000 of that was forgiven through a government grant.
Soldiers, first responders and their families will be able to stay there for free. The house's operation will be funded through fundraising and donations.
De Genova said he's received the support of retired general Rick Hillier, former chief of the defence staff, and Gen. Walter Natynczyk, the current chief of the defence staff.
De Genova said his goal is to open similar facilities across Canada.
"Very similar homes, and in Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, it's already starting to come along," said De Genova.
"The Canadian Forces men and women and all the first responders will have a place to stay for saying thank you for what they give every day.
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