“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”

– John F. Kennedy

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

– John Quincy Adams

“Vision with action can change the world.”

– J.A. Baker

The Rolling Barrage PTSD Foundation / The Rolling Barrage is a not-for-profit organization that raises awareness of PTSD among Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Veterans and First Responders.

After Scott Casey founded The Rolling Barrage in 2016, he reached to those he served with or knew personally in order to establish the first ride for The Rolling Barrage in 2017.

The Rolling Barrage over the years has had many key volunteers. All helping to elevate the organization year after year. Within the current Board of Directors are three veterans. The Co-Founder of The Rolling Barrage is Leslie, and she is the spouse of Scott.

Carola is also in The Board of Directors and she is the spouse of a retired CAF veteran and retired Calgary firefighter.

Christian is a retired CAF veteran who served with all three veterans on the Board of Directors. Christian only rode a motorcycle in his teenage years but understands the connection between motorcycles, mental health, and raising funds for charity. He currently volunteers as CEO of The Rolling Barrage PTSD Foundation / The Rolling Barrage.

Scott Casey – Founder / Director

Road Name – “Bronco” 

At the age of 17 he signed his first Will & Testament as an infantryman with the Royal Canadian Regiment. The next 10 years would provide him with some interesting adventures; some scenic, others harrowing, dangerous and tragic. In 1992, he served as a peacekeeper in Croatia and Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina. He was awarded the Commander in Chief’s Unit Commendation for actions while in Sarajevo.

Those times etched a pathway to a life after service which include, becoming the President of Military Minds Inc., dissolved in 2021, it was the worlds largest PTSD peer support organization for combat veterans and first responders of it’s time. Casey is also the founder of The Rolling Barrage. An annual cross Canada motorcycle rally also in support of veterans and first responders living with the effects of trauma.

A published author, Casey penned the biography, Ghostkeepers which enjoyed two #1 awards in Canadian Military History and Historical Biography in Canada. With his knowledge of PTSD, his work as a veterans advocate, and author, he is often called upon for public speaking engagements.

At the age of four, when he threw his leg over his new Keystone 50 minibike, he was irreversibly hooked on two wheeled everything. His personal riding exploits include crossing both Europe and North America numerous times, with a short stint in the amateur superbike world within Germany, having raced at both Hochenheim and Nürburg Rings.

Scott Casey lives in Merritt BC with his spouse, Leslie, where they enjoy riding motorcycles, golf, and sport shooting.

Leslie Atkinson – Co Founder / Director

Road Name: “Lastly”

Leslie is not only the Co-Founder of The Rolling Barrgae, but she is also our Chief Admin Officer. Bringing years of experience from working in executive positions as a member of The United Steelworkers.

She is currently employed as a nationally certified Millwright, aka Industrial Mechanic, employing her trade near Kamloops BC.

Many have learned that her slight stature belies a skilled heavy equipment operator with machines like D10N Bulldozers and 24M motorgraders on her list of qualifications.

Atkinson found the love of riding motorcycles when she was 5 years old when her father took her for rides throughout BC. She’s raised a son and had to hold her dreams of riding till he was of an age; finally purchasing her first motorcycle in 2009, she has been in the wind every chance since. This includes crossing our country twice as a member of The Rolling Barrage’, Full Pull Crew. She will add a third time in Aug of 2023 to her collection, crossing North America to St John’s NL and back.

The Rolling Barrage has been an integral part of her life since before its birth during discussions with her husband and our Founder, Scott. She enjoys golf, cooking fine cuisine, shooting sports and of course all things motorcycles.

James Gordon – Director / COO

Road Name: “Cyber Grump”

James joined the military in 1985. After TQ-3 Battle School (Petawawa) he was then  posted to 2 RCR CFB Gagetown. He was then posted to 3 RCR CFB Winnipeg (August 87) and from there to  3 RCR Baden Söllingen Germany in 1988.

After  the closure of CFB Baden, he was then posted CFB Lahr Germany (Base Security). On closure of CFB Lahr, he was posted to 10/90 Battalion CFB Borden (1994), and then subsequently to 3 RCR in CFB Petawawa.

Tours – NATO –  CFB Baden Soellingen and CFB Lahr. United Nations (UNPROFOR) Roto 0 – Former Yugoslavia and Sarajevo with 3 RCR N- Coy as part of the Royal 22nd Regiment (Vandoo) Battle Group.

Medically released March 1998 from the CAF (shrapnel injury, Sarajevo).

My first time on The Rolling Barrage was in 2018. After my 3 legs in Alberta I went to see a psychiatrist and was diagnosed with PTSD in January 2019.

I’ve been on every The Rolling Barrage since 2018. Full Pull in 2019 as Tail Gunner, 2020 Western Bubble (Covid), and Lead Bike 2021 & 2022.

I joined The Rolling Barrage PTSD Foundation Board of Directors in 2021 with the goal that if I could help just one person like The Rolling Barrage helped me in 2018, I would be happy.

Warren Cave – Director / Riding Groups 

Road Name – “Nutjob”

Warren started to see posts from his old RCR Buddy Scott Casey in 2016 about some far fetched idea to start a Coast to Coast motorcycle ride. At the time Warren didn’t even have a bike but the more he saw, the more he knew he needed to be part of it.

After finding the same Make, Model & Year bike he last owned, a 1987 Honda CBR 1000 Hurricane he joined the inaugural run from Lloydminster Ab to Kamloops BC and rode an ever increasing distance each year culminating in back to back Full Pulls in 2021 & 2022 in the role of Deputy Lead Bike.

A Veteran of The Royal Canadian Regiment, Warren remustered to Vehicle Technician in 1993 after a tour in the war torn Former Yugoslavia with UNPROFOR. 3 more tours of Bosnia were in Warren’s future, Velika Kladusa, Zgon and Glamoc.
Postings included;
-3 RCR Winnipeg 1986.
-3 RCR  Baden Germany. 1988
-2 RCR Gagetown 1991
-Canadian School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 1993.
-1 Service Battalion Calgary 1993.
-1 Service Battalion Edmonton 1996.
-1 Combat Engineer Regiment 1998.
-1 Service Battalion Edmonton 2002.
-Lord Strathcona Horse (Royal Canadians) 2006.
-1 Service Battalion Edmonton 2009

Highlights of Warren’s military career;
1- Prep and deploy to Afghanistan with B Squadron LdSH(RC) in the first deployment of Canadian tanks since the Korean War as the Maintenance Sergeant 2006.
2- Deploy to Afghanistan with A Squadron LdSH(RC) Maintenance Sergeant with Leopard 2 tanks 2008.
3- Commander’s Commendation  – Camp Julien in Kabul Afghanistan.
4- Commander’s Commendation for prep, deploy and maint of the aging of Leopard 1 Tanks in 2006-07.

To quote Warren “Leading Troops on Operations in Afghanistan was the honour of my life. Misery loves good company and I was among the best in the world”.

In 2011 Warren retired from the CAF and works as a Maint Supervisor, Light Vehicle Shop in Fort McMurray.

He accepted a position on The Rolling Barrage PTSD Foundation, Board of Directors in November 2022 and has committed to a 3rd Full Pull in 2023.

Carola Singer – Director / CMO 

Road Name – “Blitzkrieg”

Carola started to volunteer with The Rolling Barrage beginning of 2019 as the Okotoks organizer. She graduated as the Alberta Lead in 2022. She participated in the ride from 2019 to the present either as a passenger or as a rider.

She is the spouse of a Canadian Forces Veteran and retired Calgary Firefighter who served in those capacities for 35 years.

Carola understands the impact of PTSD from a family member’s perspective. She is honored and loves her brothers and sisters who adopted her into The Rolling Barrage and feels immense gratitude for what The Rolling Barrage has provided for her family and so many others.

In her “spare” time outside of The Rolling Barrage she works full-time as a mortgage broker, rides her bike and tries her best at golf.

Elected as the CMO for The Rolling Barrage PTSD Foundation in November 2022, she is currently serving as a Director on the Board and is looking forward to working with the other Directors and the CEO, to help more veterans and first responders and their families.

People will forget what you said.
People will forget what you did.
But People will never forget how you made them feel.
~Maya Angelou~

Christian Carter – CEO / Chief Executive Officer 

Road Name – “Opie”

Christian has volunteered with The Rolling Barrage since its inception in 2017. Working as the Ontario Lead from 2017 – 2020. In 2021, he participated in The Rolling Barrage by providing transport in Ontario to Marcie Erick of Quilts for Valour (Canada) to present quilts to deserving Veterans.

After The Rolling Barrage 2020, he decided to focus on education studies in Emergency Management at George Brown College and Enterprise Security Management at Sir Wilfred Laurier – Department of Public Safety.

He is a veteran of the CAF having served in all 3 regular force battalions of the Royal Canadian Regiment with a tour in Germany (NATO) and UNPROFOR – Roto 0 in the former Yugoslavia.

On retirement from the service, he has worked in Commercial Property Management in senior security management roles, primarily multi-tenant, office tower complexes in the downtown core of Toronto.

He has been a member of BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) while employed at Avison Young (Canada) as Manager of Risk (Physical Security) and Corporate Security. He is also a 20 year member of ASIS International, a global security management organization, and has served on the ASIS Toronto Chapter – Executive in various capacities over a 5 year period. He maintains credentials and certifications in Security Enterprise Management, Emergency Management, Life and Fire Safety, and Health and Safety. He now works as the Operations Manager in a private security firm in the Greater Toronto Area.

Selected as the CEO by the Board of Directors for The Rolling Barrage PTSD Foundation in November 2022, he assists in the governance of the organization with the Board of Directors and the Executive. His position in The Rolling Barrage PTSD Foundation is unique in that he reports to the Board of Directors but also has Board of Directors Members in the Executive working with him.

He has also helped Renos for Heroes and Hits for Heroes charities in their efforts. He looks forward to his tenure as CEO, meeting as many volunteers, communities, supporters, riders, and sponsors during The Rolling Barrage. He is supported in his efforts by an ever tolerant spouse Sue. In his spare time he likes to watch movies, read, spend time with family and close friends.

Ian Hutchings – Nova Scotia – Team Lead

My name is Ian Hutchings, I did my first ride with “The Rolling Barrage” (TRB) in 2021. I rode 3 days and was immediately accepted as family.

I initially felt like a outsider, as I ‘m not military, nor a first responder. I simply ride for my brother who was both. His good friend told me about the ride and we road the first year together.

My brother road many years to help his PTSD but was never aware of The Rolling Barrage. I know if he was, he would have supported this amazing group of riders. I also know he would be proud of his little brother for helping this great cause. My job now is to spread the word and help this ride progress.

In early 2022 I also was asked if I could help organize the Nova Scotia legs, I was very happy to do more than just ride to support the group. So in August 2022, I again road the first three days on the east coast to New Brunswick.  I was very proud we had our best number of participants depart Halifax in 2022, it was a great kick-off to the cross country run. From Legions donating lobster dinners in Yarmouth to the Windsor Legions incredible lunch stop,  Nova Scotia showed their hospitality. I also secretly decided to rejoin the ride again in Alberta and ride another three days to Vancouver (checking out how the west coast showed their hospitality – it did not disappoint).

I flew to Calgary and rented a bike there. It was also retracing the route my brother and I road in 2018 before he passed. It was a very special few days of riding, with a group of very special people. I really needed to be there for the finish of the ride, as I wanted to see it through. So perhaps the first “split puller” in The Rolling Barrage’s history as I was able to be part of the finish. One day when work allows, I will cross this great country with the Barrage as a true “Full Puller”.

I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone again in 2023 and ride again to support those in need. Come out and join in for a leg, a day or all the way!!! You will not be disappointed to have this group “as” your new extended “family”.

Rick LeBlanc – Saskatchewan – Team Lead

My name is Rick LeBlanc and I am honoured to be able to support my fellow veterans, and the broader first responder community, to raise money to combat the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress by finding ways to live with the experiences that affect them.  I started riding late in life, just a few years ago at age 40, and I haven’t looked back since.

I stumbled across The Rolling Barrage by chance just after completing the basic rider safety course, and my wife and I met up with them in Yorkton, SK.  I wish I could describe the experience, but words just don’t do it just.  The energy, the support, the love when linking up is amazing – and I didn’t even know anyone!  That didn’t last long and both my wife and I are looking forward to joining the ride each year we can, and doing the full pull at least once.

I am a veteran, I struggle with mental health, and I have lost dearly.  I have also found a little way to give back for all the kindness that has helped me survive by helping make sure this year’s ride goes smoothly in Saskatchewan.  Post-Traumatic Stress is a normal reaction to dealing with the worst that humanity has to offer.  It’s up to us to support those we send into those situations afterwards.

Patrick Alden – Ontario – Team Lead

Road Name” Kakes”

I was first made aware of The Rolling Barrage in 2017. I had learned that I had just missed the inaugural ride. I made it my mission to ride in 2018 and help if I could.

I joined the Canadian Army in August 1985 at CFRS Cornwallis followed by the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) battle school at CFB Petawawa.

Upon completion posted to 3 RCR in Winnipeg, MB.  I was employed in a rifle company and other tasks in the yrs I was in Winnipeg.

I was posted to CFB Baden in Germany, where we were part of Canada’s NATO commitment. I served in the combat support Coy stores before spending a few years in Mortar platoon.

In the Spring of 1992 elements of 3 RCR would form part of Canada’s commitment to the UN in the former Yugoslavia. A short few months later we found ourselves on a mission that changed my life and many of my friends. The siege of Sarajevo.

I was one of the last CAF personnel to leave CFB Baden as it closed(15 pers left after me)  Nov/Dec 1993.

I was posted to 1 RCR in Petawawa in Dukes Coy. In Oct 94 I was once again back in the former Yugoslavia in Serb Kriena. After the tour I completed the ISCC.

In 1998 I found myself in Bosnia as a Weapons Det Commander. On return to Petawawa, I was posted as the Combat Support Coy transport 2 i/c.

I became the Transport Sgt until we deployed to Kosovo. I reverted to 2 I/C again. After Kosovo, I was in Coy stores until my promotion to MCpl followed by a component transfer to the Primary Reserve in May 2001.

I am with the Governor Generals Foot Guards(GGFG) in Ottawa. I am the Ceremonial NCO for the unit. I am just shy of 38 years of service.

In April 2001, I was hired as a police officer with the Ottawa Police Service. I have been an officer for over 22 yrs, I have worked the road for 90% of my career doing patrol and neighbourhood jobs. I also did a short stint in District Traffic and a Community Resource Officer.

I have had some interesting tasks like security for the Pope’s visit to Toronto in 2002, G8 and G20 meetings in Canada and Presidential visits of Obama and Biden.

In 2018, after the ride, I was able to team up with an old friend from 3 RCR, Derrick Mclenachan who together we were the Ottawa leads. The highlight was getting an event on Parliament Hill with the Ceremonial Guard to support.

Jim Gordon a long time friend (COO of TRB) had been missed in getting his Commander in Chief – Unit Commendation. MGen Mackenzie (Retd) the commander in Sarajevo, presented it to him personally. We also lead a group of 160 riders out of Ottawa.

I remained the Ottawa lead with Derrick until he passed in 2021. In 2021, I was asked to take over the Ontario area of The Rolling Barrage. I enjoyed my time with TRB but also took a step back in 2022.  I was asked to help out in 2023 and jumped at the chance to once again help military and first responders and look forward to seeing The Rolling Barrage reach its potential.

Michelle Croteau – Quebec – Team Lead

Je me nomme Michelle Croteau. Je ne suis pas vétérane ni première répondante, mais des membres de ma famille ont servi les Forces Armées Canadiennes et des amis font partis des premiers répondants. Dans la vie de tous les jours je suis maman, belle-maman d’une famille
recomposée et gestionnaire de projet.

Lors de ma première participation, j’étais en transition entre deux emplois. Je venais de quitter un emploi qui me procurait beaucoup de stress. Je souffrais d’anxiété et j’avais plusieurs symptômes d’épuisement professionnel et de dépression. C’est mon beau-père, lui-même vétéran, qui nous a parlé du TRB comme étant
une occasion de faire de la moto et de supporter des gens souffrant de syndrome post- traumatique. C’est dans ce contexte que mon conjoint François et moi avons participé pour la première fois à The Rolling Barrage en 2021 (5ième Édition).

La première journée j’étais gênée, car je ne connaissais personne outre mes beaux-parents. Je n’avais pas l’impression d’être à ma place, puisque j’étais une civile. Puis, petit-à-petit, des liens se sont créés. Après trois jours, nous ne voulions pas partir et avons prolongé notre voyage d’une journée. Cette dernière journée est une journée unique qui est gravée dans mon cœur à jamais. C’est à ce moment que j’ai pris conscience que maseule présence et mon écoute pouvaient faire une
différence. Que même si je n’avais pas servi mon pays ou ma communauté comme la majorité des participants, je pouvais offrir mon support à ceux ayant revêtu l’uniforme.

Depuis, c’est un rendez-vous annuel pour moi. C’est d’abord un rendez-vous avec moi-même, un temps de pause dans cette vie si chargée mais aussi un rendez-vous avec cette belle et grande communauté qui se tisse d’un océan à l’autre, kilomètre après kilomètre. C’est l’occasion de retrouver des personnes au cœur si généreux qui sont devenus des amis en quelques jours. Au fil des kilomètres on réalise que ces blessures invisibles n’ont pas de métier, elles nous touchent tous et c’est lorsqu’on commence à en parler ouvertement, que doucement, les barrières s’estompent, que l’on s’ouvre et que le chemin vers le mieux-être peut commencer. Il ne faut pas rester silencieux. Alors c’est avec beaucoup d’humilité et une immense gratitude envers l’organisation qu’après trois années de participation j’ai accepté de relever le défi d’être représentante pour le Québec avec mon conjoint. C’est ma façon à moi de redonner à ceux qui nous donne tant et de contribuer à cette cause.

My name is Michelle. I am not a veteran or first responder, but some of my family members have served the Canadian Armed Forces and friends are among the first responders.

In everyday life I am a mother, mother-in-law of a stepfamily and project manager.

When I first participated, I was transitioning between two jobs. I had just left a job that was giving me a lot of stress. I was suffering from anxiety and had several symptoms of burnout and depression.

It was my father-in-law, himself a veteran, who told us about TRB as an opportunity to ride a motorcycle and support people with post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is in this context that my husband François and I participated for the first time in The Rolling Barrage in 2021 (5th edition).

The first day I was shy, because I didn’t know anyone besides my in-laws. I didn’t feel like I belonged, since I was a civilian. Then, little by little, links were created. After three days, we didn’t want to leave and extended our trip by one day. This last day is a unique day that is engraved in my heart forever. That’s when I realized that my mere presence and listening could make a difference.

That even if I had not served my country or my community like the majority of participants, I could offer my support to those who had wear the uniform. Since then, it has been an annual event for me. It is first of all an appointment with myself, a time of pause in this life so busy but also an appointment with this beautiful and large community that is woven from coast to coast, kilometer after kilometer.

It is an opportunity to meet people with such generous hearts who have become friends in a few days. Over the kilometers we realize that these invisible wounds have no job, they affect us all and it is when we begin to talk about them openly, that slowly, the barriers fade, that we open and that the path to well-being can begin. We must not remain silent.

So it is with great humility and immense gratitude to the organization that after three years of participation I accepted the challenge of being a representative for Quebec with my husband. It’s my way of giving back to those who give so much and contributing to this cause.

Francois Couture – Quebec – Team Lead

Je m’appelle François Couture et c’est mon père, qui est vétéran, qui m’a parlé du The Rolling Barrage (TRB). C’est donc à la suite de quelques discussions, que ma conjointe et moi avons rejoint mes parents lors de l’édition de 2021.

Nous avons rejoint le groupe à Montmagny au Québec, avec un plan de voyage de trois jours qui devait nous amener jusqu’en Ontario. J’avais peu d’expérience de conduite de moto en groupe et je ne connaissais que quelques participants. Je me sentais comme une recrue. En plus, en tant que civil, je me sentais un peu imposteur de me joindre à eux. Dès les premières heures, desparticipants m’ont conseillé afin que je me sente àl’aise de rouler en groupe. Puis rapidement le même jour, puisque je suis camionneur et que je connais bien la région de Montréal, on m’a demandé de seconder le leader pour guider le groupe. Je me rappelle comment j’étais impressionné d’être devant mais aussi de voirtoutes ces motos dans mes rétroviseurs!

Lors des arrêts, j’aimais en profiter pour prendre des photos des participants et croquer sur le vif certains moments uniques. Puis les liens se sont tissés et après trois jours je n’avais pas envie de partir. Nous avons donc décidé d’ajouter une journée à notre voyage. De retour à la maison, j’avais les bleues, je me sentais vide, j’avais envie de prendre le premier avion pour les rejoindre à l’autre bout du pays.

Depuis, à chaque année nous ajoutons une journée de plus à notre itinéraire. Je découvre avec plaisir des régions de mon pays, je fais de belles rencontres et je tisse de belles amitiés. Chaque année, c’est un moment que j’attends avec impatience. C’est avec un immense plaisir qu’à l’issue de l’édition 2023 j’ai accepté de rejoindre l’organisation à titre de représentant du Québec avec ma conjointe Michelle.

My name is François Couture and it is my father, who is a veteran, who told me about The Rolling Barrage (TRB). It was after some discussions, that my wife and I joined my parents during the 2021 edition.

We joined the group in Montmagny, Quebec, with a three-day travel plan that would take us all the way to Ontario.

I had little experience riding motorcycles in a group and I only knew a few participants. I felt like a rookie. Also, as a civilian, I felt a bit impostor to join them.

From the first hours, participants advised me so that I felt comfortable riding in a group. Then quickly the same day, since I am a truck driver and since I know the Montreal area well, I was asked to assist the lead bike to guide the group.

I remember how impressed I was to be in front as well as to see all these bikes in my mirrors! During the stops, I liked to take pictures of the participants and sketch on the spot some unique moments.

Then the bonds were forged and after three days I didn’t want to leave. So we decided to add a day to our trip. Back home, I had the blues, I felt empty, I wanted to take the first plane to join them on the other side of the country.

Since then, every year we add an extra day to our itinerary. I discover with pleasure regions of my country, I make beautiful encounters and I weave beautiful friendships.

Every year is a moment I look forward to. It is with great pleasure that at the end of the 2023 edition I agreed to join the organization as a representative of Quebec with my wife Michelle.