Along the David Thompson Highway between Sylvan Lake and Red Deer, a visual dedication to those who fought for our country stands strong and free each November. 

From May 9th to July 6th the one-kilometre stretch of highway that usually features Canadian flags was adorned with flags from around the world in honour of those fighting on a different kind of frontline.

The Flags of Unity project stood as a tribute to frontline healthcare workers and first responders for all of the dedication they have shown our communities, before, during and long after the pandemic. 

Formerly the Flags of Remembrance, organizer Al Cameron, Founder of Veterans Voices of Canada, said he wanted to recognize a different kind of sacrifice that is made every day by the unsung heroes of healthcare. 

Cameron wanted to not only create a visual tribute to the frontline workers, but also wanted to show support financially for the Red Deer Regional Hospital, where his partner Michelle works as an RN. 

 

"When all of this came about with COVID and whatnot - normally I do Flags of Remembrance on the highway for veterans - but she's dealing with all of the same things you have as healthcare workers, and she said, 'Why don't we do something for the healthcare workers?', and I was totally behind it. I see what she goes through every day, and what I'm sure a lot of you go through, too," Cameron said, addressing a group of caregivers at Royal Oak Manor in Lacombe. 

"We wanted a flag from every country in the world along the highway because there are some really awesome frontline care workers and first responders all over the world. A lot of them have given their lives, as you've probably heard, along the way and a lot of them are working while all of this is happening - just like you guys are here."

Approximately 230 flags were raised: 193 flags for countries around the world, plus all of the territorial and provincial flags from across Canada, with a few extra Canadian flags in the mix. 

For the fundraising portion, people were able to sponsor a plaque on one of the approximately 225 flags that were posted on the north side of Highway 11 East. Those funds were raised on behalf of the Red Deer Regional Hospital to help get ahold of a mechanical ventilator. 

"I think it really brought a lot of awareness to p[eople like yourselves who are frontline healthcare workers - and that was the main thing we needed to see happen. A lot of support came from that," Cameron said. 

He said it was exceptionally special to see how many people got on board to support the lives of first responders and healthcare workers, and to pay homage to those who were lost as they fought to keep COVID-19 from killing others.

A special recognition for Lacombe's frontline care heroes

One of those very special sponsorships came from Mabel and Joy Wigley, who reside in Lacombe. Mabel's late husband, Bill, was interviewed by Cameron several years back, and this is how he got to know the family. Joy and Mabel came together and decided they wanted to give a very special thank-you to those dedicated workers at the Royal Oak Manor in Lacombe. 

"Mom (Mabel) has been here in the home since December, and with this COVID, this place has been here with absolutely no outbreaks whatsoever. As soon as they heard it hit Alberta, they shut it right down and made sure no one got sick. Mom is 98 years old, so we put everything in place to protect her and everyone else in here," Joy said.

"This was an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for what these guys and gals do every day, every night."

"We lived here for nine and a half years before this new part even got built. It was like home coming back," Mabel said about her residence, and when asked about her caregivers she simply said, "There's no faces like these". 

 

Misty Pattterson, front left, works at Royal Oaks Manor where Mabel Wigley, front centre) resides. Mabel's daughter Joy Wigley, front left, and Al Cameron, Founder of Veterans Voices Canada, met with Misty and Mabel at the care facility on Friday as Cameron presented the plaque and flags sponsored by Joy and Mabel. 

As Cameron presented the sponsored plaque and 'Canadian Healthcare Beaver' to the Royal Oak staff, a few of the participants let out some tears and embraced the emotional moment with each other.

 

Recognizing the importance of frontline workers carries a special significance for Cameron. He said he sees many of the dedicated staff who watch over the nation's veterans and other loved ones. He said this tribute went out to all of those care staff, but also to nurses and hospital workers like his wife Michelle, and those who recently helped Cameron through a very difficult time for him personally. 

"Last year I had a lump on my neck, and didn't know what it was, but I had it taken out. Michelle told me to do that because we didn't know what was going to happen. A couple of months later we found out it was an aggressive type of cancer," he said, explaining that he eventually had to travel to Calgary - during COVID- to seek radiation treatment in that city.

He said he was blown away by the level of care these people were taking for those they were helping and said the things they experience and have to go through are hard, even without the added pressure and fear of a pandemic. 

The Flags of Unity project is something that Cameron said is not going to go away. He said COVID-19 will one day be under control, but that he wants to remember and dedicate that honour to frontline workers, first responders and all other healthcare heroes again and again.