On Saturday June 24th 2023, Rolling Barrage alumni visited the Peacekeepers Park in Angus, Ontario. It was a very enlightening event, and it was fantastic to see a good turnout despite the weather in the region experience heavy rainfall but it just seemed that Peacekeepers Park was protected from all of that.
As the CEO of The Rolling Barrage PTSD Foundation, I was happy to meet fellow Rolling Barrage alumni. Some had travelled a great distance to be there and provide support for this initiative conducted by the Royal Canadian Legion. We all had an opportunity to catch up, in some cases, decades since last seeing other.
More importantly, we all had an opportunity to speak with various representatives of organizations. I was able to speak with Silver Cross Mom, Valerie McGrady and her daughter, Shannon about her son, and Shannon’s brother, Corporal Mathew McCully who was killed by an IED while on patrol in Afghanistan on May 25th 2007.
They have been able to build Bravery Park which is a tribute to all those in service. They were helped in the park’s development by the City of Orangeville, the community, and donations to make Bravery Park possible.
What a beautiful park and wonderful remembrance area in an urban community. To visit their website please go to Bravery Park. They also have a Bravery Park – Facebook Page.
I also had an opportunity to speak with and learn about several project initiatives from Sue Milner of Footsteps of Canadian Heroes. Sue is no stranger to The Rolling Barrage and she will be meeting The Rolling Barrage on this year’s ride in around the Kingston Ontario area.
I also had the opportunity to speak with Legion Provincial Service Officer, Sherry Culling. We discussed The Rolling Barrage and in particular this year’s ride, starting in Newfoundland and then proceeding across the country. As always, I was asked, “are you passing through?” <insert town>. I explained The Rolling Barrages’ current route as planned for 2023, but our routes do shift in areas as our history has shown. I advised her that the Legions are a significant supporter of the Rolling Barrage across the country. She was very happy to hear that.
I spoke with Debbie Legaull of the Borden Family Resource Centre. A very interesting initiative is taking place where veterans are building wooden garden beds and growing vegetables. This is part of a Health and Wellness program for veterans, active duty and families.
I also spoke with, of course, good friend, fellow veteran Mike Humphries of Helmets to Hardhats (Canada).
Overall a great day for veterans and veteran support organizations. I look forward to speaking with them all again in the future.
If you have the time, please visit the organizations above and where you can or are able to, show support.
Kind regards,
Christian Carter – CEO