November 3, 2016
Mark Cullen, (centre) Board Chair of the Living Tribute, joined by cousin Bruce Cullen (left), recently retired as head groundskeeper of the Metro Toronto Zoo, and Norm Mills (right), President of Landscape Ontario’s Durham Chapter.
Mark Cullen, (centre) Board Chair of the Living Tribute, joined by cousin Bruce Cullen (left), recently retired as head groundskeeper of the Metro Toronto Zoo, and Norm Mills (right), President of Landscape Ontario’s Durham Chapter.
Several members from LO’s Durham Chapter volunteered their time and expertise on Oct. 1 to help the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute with a community tree planting in Whitby, Ont.

The group of LO and community volunteers included Whitby mayor Don Mitchell and Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby-Oshawa. Over 250 native trees were planted next to the community gardens at St. John’s Anglican Church.

St. John’s Anglican Community Garden Coordinator Janet Stephenson says, “Everyone worked together, young, old, landscapers and volunteers. Everyone was cooperative, helpful and kind.” Stephenson noted she was also impressed at how well organized the event was and “how generous the various landscaping companies were that helped.”

Organizers would like to give special thanks to the following LO members who participated in and supported the event: Lloyd’s Landscaping, Bryden Landscaping, Arnts The Landscape Supplier, Timm Enterprises, B.K. Baun Landscape and Humphries Landscape Services.

The following day, another 350 trees were planted in Ajax, Ont., by another group of local volunteers, Forests Ontario, the City of Ajax and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

The Highway of Heroes Living Tribute plans to plant 117,000 trees, one for every fallen soldier since Confederation, along the stretch of Highway 401 from Trenton to Keele St., known officially as the Highway of Heroes.