John Gallagher Makes His Final Trip Home

Friday, 20 November 2015 16:12

Canadian Flags were flying and hundreds sang O Canada as Gallagher's motorcade made one final trip through Woodstock on route to his hometown of Blenheim

OXFORD COUNTY - It was an emotional afternoon for many who stood along Highway 401.

John Gallagher was killed in Syria while defending his country and his body made one final trip through Ontario passing by Woodstock. Constable with the Woodstock Police Service, Eric Hiiuvain, explains his reaction on the size of the crowd that lined the Highway 59 overpass and why he took part. "It is a recognition of Canadian solidarity that we are to watch out for one of our own, the fact that he is passing through it gives us the opportunity to recognize him and the sacrifice that he gave in the line of duty. They don't normally come through this far so this is a great chance for the people of Woodstock to step out and show their support, and Oxford County for that matter we have people from all over the place down here."

The motorcade passed through Woodstock shortly after 2:30 carrying Gallagher, Superintendent for Oxford County EMS, Mike Moulton, was amazed by the support from the public. "This is fabulous, most of the fallen solider's are delivered in Toronto so this is really cool. Here was a Canadian that has lost his life defending our country against the tyrannies that could possibly change the way we live."

Many braved the cool temperatures to salute the fallen hero and a crowd even sung O Canada as Gallagher's body made on final trip. Head of the Woodstock Firefighters Association, Paul Graham, spoke to Heart FM about their contribution to the special tribute. "We weren't sure what to expect, it boils down to the recognition of him serving, we're just happy to be here and our members felt very strongly about this. We have 18 off duty guys between the two bridges, we're just glad we can support it and to let them know we are thinking about him." All overpasses in Oxford County boasted attendance numbers in the hundreds to acknowledge the fallen solider.