On Friday April 29th, the second anniversary of the CH-148 helicopter crash that took the life of Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough and five of her colleagues, the charity, Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign (HOH), held a special memorial tree planting event at Abbigail’s elementary school in Toronto. Abbigail’s mother, Tanya Cowbrough, school officials and local dignitaries and students gathered at Regal Road Junior Public School to plant the tree, honour Abbigail’s legacy, and place a plaque in remembrance. The tree and plaque will be a reminder to current and future students of the sacrifice heroes like Abbigail have made for Canadians.
Tanya spoke of her daughter’s legacy, and how she loved to help her community. “When a tree puts down roots, it is preparing itself for a future that will benefit its surrounding environment for years to come,” said Tanya Cowbrough. “It will provide shade, filter air and water, nourish pollinators, provide habitat for wildlife, and so much more. This is why I feel it’s fitting that we are planting a tree at Abbigail’s childhood school, where she put down her own roots that allowed her to grow into such a caring adult who always made the lives of those around her better.”
Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough
Abbigail was a caring and determined young woman. She grew up partly in Toronto and attended Regal Road Junior Public School from pre-kindergarten through Grade 4. From a young age, Abbigail had a goal of going to Royal Military College (RMC) and joining the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
In 2012, Abbigail was thrilled to join RMC, and then entered the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2016. Her first childhood dream to enter the military as an officer was accomplished. During her time in the CAF, Abbigail had several deployments including: Bahamas, Vancouver, Scotland and the Mediterranean.
In early 2020 Abbigail was participating in a NATO exercise aboard the HMCS Fredericton (known as “Freddy”) in the Mediterranean. On April 29, 2020 Abbigail took part in a helicopter maneuver. The helicopter was on a fly-by of the Freddy when tragedy struck. The helicopter Abbigail was in crashed into the Ionian Sea. She, along with five fellow officers, perished during their final approach to the Freddy. Abbigail was only 23 and sacrificed her life proudly serving her country.
Attendees at today’s event included; Mark Cullen (Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign), Stephanie Donaldson (Public School Board Trustee, Ward 9), Michael Morris (Regal Road Junior Public School Principal), Marit Stiles (MPP, Davenport), and Commander Paul Smith (HMCS York), and many of Abbigail’s family and friends.
“As we plant this memorial tree we honour one of our own. Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough who died along with 5 others when their helicopter crashed off the coast of Greece during a NATO training accident,” said Principal Michael Morris. “Sub Lt. Cowbrough was a former Regal Road Student who loved her time at school, honoured the hard work ethic promoted throughout her years here and had a special bond to the Regal Heights community. She had been described as strong, resilient, brave, honest, intelligent and beautiful inside and out. I know that she will be missed and as I have been told did not die for her Country, but rather “lived for her family, her faith and her country.”
Over six years ago, the Highway of Heroes (HOH) Tree Campaign set out with a goal to plant 2 million trees to honour every Canadian who served in the country’s Armed Forces, including the 117,000 who paid the ultimate sacrifice, like Abbigail. To date, 1.6 million trees have been planted in partnership with many municipalities, sponsors and donors across the country.
“Throughout the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign we have had the incredible honour of meeting several Silver Cross Mothers and their families,” said Mark Cullen, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign. “Each and every one that we have met has taken solace in knowing that we have planted a living tribute in honour of their lost loved one. It warms our hearts to help these families that have been affected by tragedy in our own small, but special way and today we were proud to do that for Abbigail’s family and friends especially in a location that will ensure Abbigail’s memory will live on for generations to come.”
The Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign expects to reach and surpass its 2 million tree goal by the end of 2022. To learn more about The Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign, or to donate, please click here.
