Highway of Heroes tribute to fallen soldier unveiled

COBOURG - It was a fitting tribute as members of the Royal Military College from Kingston paraded over the Highway of Heroes on Thursday to begin a ceremony to honour Capt. Nichola Goddard.

Goddard was the first Canadian woman killed in combat. She graduated from RMC in 2002 and was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2006.

Leading the procession up the hill to the bridge was RMC Officer Cadet Thomas Levert, carrying the Capt. Nichola Goddard memorial sword.

Following the cadets were Goddard’s parents, two sisters, family and dignitaries for the brief ceremony.

The ceremony was attended by a number of Legion representatives and people from Cobourg and surrounding area.

Tim Goddard said his daughter would be thrilled by the ceremony.

“She’d be absolutely amazed, she’d be laughing. Eleven-anda-half years later, people still remember.”

Goddard said when the family went to the repatriation at CFB Trenton it was 1 a.m. They were there as a family, but didn’t know until they left the base that they weren’t alone.

“As we came out and saw all the people we didn’t know - that was stunning,” he said. “Pitch black, but people were there. And to think 11 years later - it’s amazing.

Police Chaplain Andrew Truter spoke during the ceremony about the repatriation that took the Goddard family down the Highway of Heroes, from CFB Trenton to Toronto, in 2006.

“The families reaching out of the windows, trying to touch the hand of those on the bridges,” he said. “And so we connected. We were Canadians honouring a true Canadian. We dedicate this spot to this brave, wonderful lady. We dedicate it honour of Nichola Goddard. We dedicate this spot and may it truly be hallowed ground. And as people wander by, may the pause and consider for a moment the sacrifice made by the sons and daughter of Canada.”

Capt. Goddard was the 16th soldier to die in Afghanistan.

Bronwen Evans, CEO of The True Patriot Love Foundation, said there are currently 26 bridges with plaques and 12 have been named in honour of fallen soldiers.