P.A. hosts only provincial event for nationwide Canadian Walk for Veterans

The event was held within Kinsmen Park and began with a Colour Party from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 2 followed by O’ Canada, and some words from Prince Albert Mayor Bill Powalinsky, MLA Alana Ross, and local veteran Emile Highway.

Emile Highway, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran, speaks during the ninth Canadian Walk for Veterans at Kinsmen Park in Prince Albert as the Canadian, Saskatchewan, and Royal Canadian Legion flags blow in the wind behind him. (Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW)

Signs like this one were placed along the route in Kinsmen Park, featuring facts and history from the Canadian Armed Forces and military. (Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW)

A total of 26 communities in nine provinces participated in this year’s walk, which continues to grow and include more places every year, according to the True Patriot Love Foundation which founded the event. However, in Saskatchewan, Prince Albert remains the only participating community in the walk.

Angelina Marcotte made the trip from Saskatoon and serves as the Veterans Family Program coordinator at the Central Saskatchewan Military Family Resource Center, located within the 17 Wing Detachment Dundurn military facility south of Saskatoon.

She echoed McKeaveney and said we need to think about what life would be like had those men and women not gone into battle.

“As a civilian, a lot of the times I ask myself how would Canada look if those brave men and women have never spoken up? Would we be safe? Would we still be Canada or would we be something completely different? We are safe and we are privileged because other people gave us the greatest sacrifice to keep us safe.”

Marcott also praised the work that McKeaveney has done with River Valley Resilience Retreat.

“They do an amazing job of supporting military members, veterans, their families, first responders because all of them are trauma-enforced professions. They see a lot and they experience a lot. I had a lot of really great feedback from spouses and members that went to the retreat and came back saying, ‘I really needed this. I was at a safe spot where I could heal, where I could find my bearings again and go into my everyday life.'”

The River Valley Resilience Retreat was created out of a need for first responders and veterans. The Retreat give them a safe and serene space to take a breath and relax while reducing the impact of operational stress injuries (OSI), post-traumatic stress (PTSD), and burnout. They also offer peer-based support and mental health resources.

“They don’t acknowledge their conflict sometimes,” explained McKeaveney. “They just want to join these forces and just kind of blend in their military careers with their current public safety personnel. What we created is a space for people simply to just rest, get some respite amongst nature using people who have actually been through operational stress injuries and as well as to prevent operational stress injuries amongst first responders and veterans.”

Net proceeds from the event will go to the River Valley Resilience Retreat.

If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD or in crisis, help can be reached at:

Suicide Crisis Helpline by calling or texting 9-8-8
Hope for Wellness Help Line: call 1-855-242-3310
Veterans Affairs Canada Assistance Service: call 1-800-268-7708
OSI-CAN Saskatchewan: call 306-552-3801 or 1-888-495-6068

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

by Logan Lehmann

P.A. hosts only provincial event for nationwide Canadian Walk for Veterans

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