Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
An eye-catching stream of motorcycles wound its way through Jasper to the Legion on August 18: The Rolling Barrage had arrived from Wainwright.
The Rolling Barrage began its cross-Canada journey on August 4 in Halifax.
This year is the fourth inclusive motorcycle ride across Canada, presented by Military Minds Inc. Its mission is to create a community of support for veterans, serving Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and first responders.
Scott Casey, president of Military Minds and founder of the Rolling Barrage, said the ride has grown exponentially since its inception.
“It started with eight of us going right across but one person in the province,” he said.
“This year, because of COVID, we had around 300 across Canada, some we’ve had more than 600.”
So what is it about the ride that captures people’s hearts?
“It’s the community,” said Casey. “Whether veterans or first responders we are all uniforms who run towards danger when others are running away.
“There’s a support that’s there and when we are on the trip we ride together.”
He said his favourite thing about the trip is seeing old friends and making new ones. “It happens every year,” he said.
The Rolling Barrage stopped in Jasper last Tuesday and about 60 members were warmly welcomed by the Legion.
Keith Henderson, service officer with the Jasper Legion. "They roll into a community to educate everyone about post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD
"It's been one of our favourite events. They're an amazing group of people. It's a lot of our friends from years past, in the military.”
The Legion hosted the members for supper and socialized, talking with fellow veterans and others in the community.
Henderson emphasized that the visitors travelled as a cohort and wore masks when they were interacting with people.
Casey said the Stand Easy, is one of the best in western Canada.
“Keith and Sue have done a fantastic job,” he said. “We enjoyed our stop in Jasper and look forward to next year, the fifth anniversary.”
The following morning, members of the fire department cooked breakfast for the group before they left for their next destination, Okotoks, joined by some people from Jasper.
The ride finished in Vancouver on Aug. 22 and money raised will go to helping veterans with the support they need.
"What they do is part of what we do in the Jasper Legion - connect veterans, help veterans. It's probably one of our biggest challenges," Henderson said, explaining that when veterans are released from service, "they tend to disappear into society”.
“Many [veterans] live a very, very different life," he said.
There's an effort, he said, "to keep connected when they're released. They feel disconnected. It's a reminder that they do belong to something greater."
Efforts such as those from the Jasper Legion and the Rolling Barrage are "to remind them and to show them there's not only family and friends, but support,” Henderson continued.
The Jasper Legion has become actively involved in the community, but, Henderson said, "Years ago, many people didn't realize how many veterans were in our community."
He said there was a perception that veterans had served many, many years before - which some did - but there are veterans from more recent conflicts too, including Afghanistan.
Some, Henderson said, are a much younger age in Jasper.
The injuries, both physical and mental, can last a lifetime.
That's why it is so important to have events such as the Rolling Barrage, and support from the local legion.
