Sometimes saying thank you is not enough, and one organization is taking that gesture to another level by hosting a weekend getaway in Nipawin for more than 100 wounded soldiers from Canada and the U.S.
The Wounded Warriors Weekend will serve as a way to help heal the pain soldiers struggle with after suffering serious, long-term injuries such as brain damage or loss of a limb.
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is also a common mental health issue many soldiers develop from fighting in war.
"While we have had those who have had their flesh torn from them, we have far more that have had their souls torn from them," said Wayne Johnston, founder of Wounded Warriors, during an news conference in Saskatoon's Canadian Legion Branch No. 63.
Many of the soldiers who will gather in the province this weekend have served time in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Iraq, many of whom have come home with physical and mental scars.
Johnston views the event as a way to address the growing problem of PTSD and says it is a key for the health of today's soldiers and their families.
"We as a nation need to discuss mental health and treat it as if it is a physical wound. It has to start sometime and it might as well start now. I know in my heart, the experience will change lives for the better," added Johnston, who served 39 years in the Canadian Forces, part of his service as a repatriation officer.
Since it began in 2006, Wounded Warriors has assisted wounded soldiers and their families by hosting community fundraisers, dinners and concerts.
The Thursday to Monday event will include sport fishing in the Saskatchewan River and Tobin Lake, golfing, a country music concert and many other dinner events to honour the soldiers for the sacrifices they have made.
"We started out with 40 (soldiers), 60 and then 70, and how could you say no?" said Blake Emmons, a Vietnam War veteran and director of Wounded Warriors Weekend.
Emmons says he has been receiving calls from soldiers wanting to join the event during the week.
A challenge has been made to Saskatoon to get more than 1,000 supporters out for the Wounded Warriors arrival from Saskatoon to Nipawin.
"We can show that we support them in all of the challenges that they face," added Brenda Fredrickson, president of Legion's Elrose branch, who also helped organize the event.
"We want to show (these soldiers) that they are not alone. In little towns across this country, there are people who support them and are just waiting for direction to show how they can help."
The soldiers will begin arriving at the Saskatoon airport on Thursday at 2: 45 p.m. and depart from the airport at 3: 30 p.m. by parade, where the North Saskatchewan Regiment Pipe and Drums band, Saskatoon Legion Branch No. 63 flag party and the North Saskatchewan Regiment honour guard will lead the way.
The parade will begin south on Airport Drive to Cynthia Street to Avenue C and then north on Avenue C/51st Street to the access ramp of Highway 11 to the East Service Road, then on to the Flying J near Wholesale Sports.
The soldiers will arrive by motorcade in Prince Albert at 5 p.m. for a dinner at the Northern Lights Casino.
During the soldier's departure on Monday, organizers are asking motorcyclists to gather in Wakaw at 10 a.m. for a motorcycle escort.
Fredrickson hopes the dozens of soldiers who attend this weekend's event take home a sense of peace and relief and that many people will take part in the soldier's arrival and sendoff.
"This is our chance to stand on guard for our wounded soldiers."
For more information visit, www.woundedwarriors. ca.
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix
