There was a strong Canadian presence in Vimy Ridge, France on Friday as a group of Afghanistan veterans paid tribute to fallen war heroes.
The 21 Canadian soldiers spent a week cycling around France and Belgium, visiting sites of past famous battles, before eventually gathering at Vimy Ridge.
Their bodies were sore after long days on the road, but the ceremony reached deeply into their hearts.
“I’d been planning for the physical,” Eric Jenkinson told Global National‘s Sean Mallen. “We’d been biking 350 miles over six days.”
“But the emotional I wasn’t ready for,” the Afghanistan veteran adds.
The trip was organized by Wounded Warriors and its British counterpart, Help for Heroes. The goal wasn’t only about physical endurance or honouring veterans – it was to promote the cause of mental health. Most of the 21 soldiers have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Back in the days of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, PTSD was better known as shell shock. Survivors often had little support or sympathy back home. “This monument reminds us that this is not new – but that we are with you,” said Capt. Philip Ralph.
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But the struggle to deal with PTSD remains. “Things have gotten better, but that’s not good enough. We’ve always got to strive,” said Wayne Johnston of Wounded Warriors.
“(It’s been an) awesome experience for us. The French have been the best to us…really treated us well,” Philip Horgan said, while cycling on the road.
The maple leaf was a common sight at Vimy Ridge, as everyone carried one during the ceremony. It was a patriotic highlight for the soldiers.
“It’s very, very touching. Very, very humbling. As a Canadian, I think most soldiers want to come over here to see Vimy,” said Mark Chamberlain, another Canadian who served in Afghanistan.
Organizers admit they were initially concerned if these men could handle going to Vimy Ridge, considering they had already dealt with so much. Not to worry, says Jenkinson. “It was very, very therapeutic for me.”
“Quite honestly, this is one item that’s off the bucket list.”
Read more from Vimy Ridge in Sean’s blog
Follow Sean on Twitter: @SMallenGlobal
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