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Cobourg's efforts to honour fallen soldiers appreciated
A brigadier-general with the Office of the Commander, Land Force Quebec area has praised Cobourg for the recognition it gives fallen soldiers.
In a letter to Mayor Peter Delanty, Commander J.G.J.C. Barabe thanked the community for its support when the body of a soldier is transported "along the 'Highway of Heroes' routes from CFB Trenton to the provincial coroner's office in Toronto."
Mr. Delanty read the letter during this week's council session and said that, in addition to the way citizens line up along the overpasses on Highway 401 on these occasions, the brigadier-general specifically singled out area police officers and firefighters.
"As you know, ten soldiers from Quebec have been lost in Afghanistan just since last July. During these trying times, it warms the hearts of all the soldiers and families from my area to see the show of support and solidarity from the city services and citizens of the Cobourg region during repatriation ceremonies for our fallen soldiers," states the letter of February 8.
"Unfortunately we're going to have to do it again in short order," said the mayor, referring to the most recent casualty, Trooper Michael Yuki Hayakaze, 25, of the Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), based at CFB Edmonton, Alberta. The soldier was killed when his armoured vehicle struck an explosive device west of Kandahar City last Sunday.
Trooper Hayakaze's remains were carried along the Highway of Heroes yesterday, and numerous residents turned up at local overpasses to show their respects.

Vera Lessels, left, and her husband Ted wave from the Highway 401 overpass on Burnham Street in Cobourg yesterday as the procession carrying the remains of Trooper Michael Yuki Hayakaze passes along the Highway of Heroes to Toronto. The Ontario Street bridge is in the background.