Highway named for heroes
Posted By DAVE FLAHERTY, LINDSAY POST REPORTER
Posted 2 months ago
This area's military history has honoured as the provincial government has recognized a portion of Highway 35 north as the Midland Regiment Commemorative Highway.
Just roughly 24 hours before millions of Canadians would pay remembrance to veterans, the special announcement was made at the Royal Canadian Legion Sir Sam Hughes Branch 67 in Lindsay.
The dedication will apply to a 52-km stretch of highway from Lindsay to the Haliburton County boundary.
The event was attended by Legion members, local politicians and even a former member of the Midland Regiment, 91-year-old Lavern Gibson, who was overjoyed with the news.
"I can hardly tell you how I feel right now," Gibson said.
He was a member of the second battalion of the Midland Regiment. Gibson added that he believed his fellow members would have been very pleased with the dedication as well.
Despite bearing the name "Midland", the regiment was based in the Port Hope and Cobourg area.
However, Padre Merv Rowan stated there were many members from the Lindsay-area and the entire City of Kawartha Lakes. The effort to have the highway dedication was started two years ago by Legion member Colin Lee, who passed away earlier this year.
After that Rowan and former Legion president Tom Ritchie s efforts.
Rowan told The Lindsay Post he believes his late friend Lee would have been proud to see the dedication finally made. Local MPP Rick Johnson, MP Barry Devolin and Mayor Ric McGee were all on hand to voice their congratulations."
For the 9,000 drivers who use this highway daily, this will be lasting legacy for the Midland Regiment," Johnson said. Devolin said he feels the signs bearing the name "Midland Regiment Commemorative Highway" will cause residents to ask questions and in turn learn more about the area's military history. Paul Webster, supervisor of the traffic office for the Ministry of Transportation, said there would be four signs along the 52-km stretch.
dflaherty@thepost.ca.
