One Of Those Stories That Make You Shake Your Head

I certainly don't want the campaign to honor our troops turn into a circus but it appears the firefighter's honor was sanctioned so why was it pulled at the last moment?

T.O. firefighters' part in soldiers tribute snuffed

By JOE WARMINGTON

Patti Tait, wife of a Toronto firefighter, stands yesterday on the Conlons Rd. overpass in Scarborough, where the firefighter tribute was supposed to happen on Sunday. (Mark O'Neill, Sun Media)

Our local heroes just wanted to say thank you to Canada's latest war heroes.

In fact, Toronto firefighters had something special planned for the fallen troops along the Highway of Heroes until water was thrown on the plans at the last minute -- leaving some firefighters hotter than a four-alarm blaze.

They were all set to salute the three returning hearses when the call rang out.

"Stand down," came across their radios. "Return to your stations." They were stunned.

Five minutes more and they would have shown the soldiers' families how much they appreciated their loved ones' sacrifice. "We wanted those families to know we care," said the veteran firefighter who spearheaded the idea and insists every vehicle was within its five-minute response time mandate.