NIPAWIN, Sask. – After a long weekend getaway to Nipawin, Sask., wounded warriors from around the world headed home on Tuesday with their physical and mental injuries on the mend.
There are two victims of war, those who perish and those who return home a shell of who they once were.
Cpl. Daniel Boudreault is the latter.
“I was out on the front lines every day” said Boudreault in reference to his deployments in Kabul in 2005 and Kandahar in 2007. He now suffers from post traumatic stress disorder.
Boudreault and his family from Ontario escaped those demons in Saskatchewan at the second annual Wounded Warriors Weekend.
It’s been a humbling experience for Boudreault.
“This weekend has been very emotional just seeing all the support for Canadian forces personnel” he said.
The getaway is funded by Wounded Warriors Canada – an organization that began seven years ago. It focuses on helping soldiers deal with mental trauma once they return from war.
Nearly 200 service members from Canada, the United States, Britain and Australia convened on Nipawin during the August long weekend for some of the province’s best golfing and fishing.
“I caught… I think they’re called walleye. I caught four. Nothing to brag about” said Australian Army Major Anthony Krupa with a chuckle.
These warriors have found healing in the calms of the Saskatchewan river.
“I haven’t had to take as much medication which is, for me, unprecedented” said Krupa.
Krupa’s friend, Kevin Jackman, said the weekend has led him to an emotional breakthrough.
“I’ve sort of built a shell around my emotions. I don’t really laugh or get upset. The feelings rise to here,” he said, motioning to his upper chest, “and then dissipate but yesterday, I don’t know what triggered it, but I was laughing all day” said Jackman.
Vietnam war veteran, Blake Emmons, who suffers from PTSD himself, is the brain power behind this weekend retreat.
Launching the idea last year, Emmons said he is humbled by the effect it has had so far. Choking back tears, Emmons talked about a conversation he had with one of the soldiers.
“He looked me in the eye and said you saved my life. Then he told me a story and that’s why we’re doing this” recalled Emmons.
The province of Saskatchewan has now officially declared the first weekend in August to be ‘Wounded Warriors Weekend’.
Next year, the torch will be passed to residents of Slave Lake, Alta.
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