CALGARY- On this Remembrance Day, people across the country gathered to pay tribute to the brave men and women who put their lives on the line for Canada. While some attended services for people they’d never even met, it was a much more personal experience for those who have done a tour of duty.
Lieutenant Colonel Chris Linford, now retired, served as a member of the medical unit in Rwanda. As a result of the mental trauma he suffered, he now battles post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), partially caused by some of the things he saw on the front lines.
“We treated over 26,000 casualties in 100 days,” he explained. “We just weren’t prepared for a different understanding of life and death, and it caught a lot of us by surprise, including me. I really feel during that mission I walked to the edge of my professional and personal competence. I knew I was profoundly changed.”
In the aftermath, there were times he thought about taking his own life.
Linford has since written a book about his experience in the line of duty, and has heard firsthand how the story of his struggles has helped other soldiers.
Fellow veterans say more needs to be done, to help those who are suffering.
“There’s not enough support for soldiers in any way, shape or form,” complained Ken McPherson, while offering a suggestion. “Take half the pensions from politicians, and give them to the soldiers. We put our lives on the line.”
Linford and his wife, Kathryn, now tour parts of the country speaking about PTSD and how to move beyond it.
“Everybody wants to talk, they just don’t want to start the conversation. It can be better if you get over the stigma, move forward, be well. We all deserve it.”
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