Canadian Tow Truck Owner Memoralizes Troops With His Rig

Alfred Cooper of Cornwall Towing displays his new military autographics in honour of the S, D and G Highlanders.

Photo by Brittany Coughlan

Here's the Standard Freeholder story:

His towtruck is a mobile memorial to soldiers past and present. Cornwall Towing owner Alfred Cooper, 54, used a number of military photographs to create a a 5 x 5 foot collage on his truck.

"Everybody wants a look at it," said Cooper, a member of the S, D and G Highlanders Pipeband since the tender age of 12.

Among the photographs are shots of the pipe band from 1941, as well as a battalion from the First World War. There is also a modern shot of soldiers in Afghanistan.

"It's to honour the troops," Cooper said.

The autographics were done by 3M Trim-Line.

Cooper is part of a large group that leaves

today for Europe to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Glengarry Highlanders role in Knokke-Heist.

"It was one of the cities they liberated," Cooper said. "In Holland, they think a lot about Canadian troops."

Among the delegation for the Nov. 2 -9 trip is Mayor Bob Kilger and United Counties Warden Chris McDonell.

Celebrations are scheduled for Zutphen and Breskens in Holland, as well as Maldegem and Knokke-Heist in Belgium. The cities were liberated in 1944 and 1945.

"Given the proud history of the Highlanders in our community and the ongoing involvement of our military in Afghanistan and other areas of the world, it is appropriate to recognize their efforts, past and present, by participating in this trip," said Mayor Bob Kilger in a statement to local media.