TWO DAYS OUT - ARRIVAL 01 OCT

Well I left on this journey on the 30th Aug. Been quite a drive. I left Calgary this morning and took a little detour. I went from Calgary to Lethbridge. The reason for my detour was to see a kind gentleman who has been let down many times. I just could not bear to allow him to think that all of the Veterans had deserted him. I was true to my word with him. I sent him a copy of my book and had promised I would see him during my drive.

We had a great get together at the Tim Hortons. I gave him a T-shirt. We talked for almost an hour and we were off. I was happy that he now realizes that all Vets have not left him completely. I will help him in the future with his situation. This was one more thing that made this trip so very worth while.

I am currently in Fernie, BC. My drive ends, if all goes well, in two days. Map and tunes below. I did a Global TV interview while in Calgary but it has not been posted yet on the internet. Tomorrow I hope.

MAP 30 SEP

Drive Tune 1

Drive Tune 2

Drive Tune 3

PICTURES

Just one of my Interviews

THE INTERVIEW (5 Parts)        Geoff Currier (the NIGHTHAWK) from CJOB radio was one 
of many reporters and media personalities I had the pleasure to talk with. I have given you a 
link to an interview with him where we discussed; Military Justice, PTSD, Military Structure and
the Federal Government Versus Veterans Class Action Lawsuit.

It seems that Owls and Nighthawks talk the same language. As Veterans we should all thank 
CJOB for helping Veterans by allowing me to tell him just a little about what is really is going on.

I hope you are pleased with my efforts on your behalf and a thank you all the media I met with
while in Winnipeg

NQNS

One of Many Interviews

Great Progress in Winnipeg

Well besides all the usual honks waves and thumbs up on the road, our stop in Winnipeg was extremely productive. I have to send out a special thanks to Kathy and Margot from Hon. Jim Karygiannis's office. I had a great meeting with Bill Blaikie of Winnipeg and I received media help from Brian Koshul.

CBC Radio came through with an interview in the morning of the 25th. That evening, Geoff Currier of CJOB, went out of his way to accommodate Veterans and the issues we face by giving me an extended interview. I even received an invite back to continue the discussion. I very much look forward to that. Geoff is a great host and interviewer. It will be a pleasure to come back and pick-up where we left off.

Although the Free Press was understaffed, they took our information and hopefully will produce a well investigated article.

Sadly it is time to go. Lillian's father is very old and sick. He is in a home just south west of Winnipeg. We are going there and after she is happy with her visit, we will be west bound. Location is based on how much time we spend with Lillian's father.

Map for 26 and 27th Two Days in Calgary

Drive Tune

Drive Tune 2

A LITTLE MORE ACTION - 23 Sep

Hidy Ho Everyone; Made it to Thunder Bay. Arrived and had to visit the Terry Fox Memorial. It was very moving and profound. You know that sometimes you are searching for just the right words to describe how you are feeling about something. Well I too have been having this same problem, that is, til today. I was reading a quote from Terry Fox which seemed to fit what Veterans, myself included are trying to tell the Government.

In no way am I trying to diminish what Terry alone achieved but just his words seem to sum up perfectly how I feel. He said, and I quote;"

"Dreams are made if people only try,

I believe in miracles......I have to......

because somewhere the hurting must stop."

For today, we had a little more action. Some on the road and the other at CBC Radio. For the road portion I have some very sad news to report. While driving down the windy hills, a crow flew right up in front of my truck. He was in my face then a small thump and gone. Happily for myself and for sure the crow, there was only one fatality. My upper left hand fog lamp took it on the chin. It was a solid knockout blow.

I am glad my wife does not find me handsome. She usually finds me a pain in her posterior but I came through. With a little help from the "Handyman's Secret Weapon", (in my case, Gun Tape vice Duct Tape) I got the fog lamp into a three fingered toe hold. Roped down and operational. That's what they say about the Canadian Military. Since we had nothing, the old saying went," we can do damn near anything, with f....ing near nothing." Just saying it again brings back fond memories.

The truck fully operational, off to CBC Radio. Well Howard Stern I am not but, the Equitas message got out in fine style. Everyone was pleased and truly wanted to hear more of my stories. I told them I would be back through in a couple weeks and I could use a call ahead or an invite back. Possibly both.

Rick Mercer (dated but true) - JUST A REMINDER

Map for 24 Sep 0900 Depart and arrive Winnipeg at 1900

Drive Song 1

Drive Song 2

TODAY'S PICTURES

SUNDAY in NORTHERN ONTARIO

Possum Lodge would be a mecca of activity compared to here. If you want to get away from it all, this is your Shangri La. We left Blind River this morning with great intentions to spend most of the day giving interviews etc. On the weekend (I found out), all media is handled remotely and no one is at the broadcast location.

After all options were exhausted we were off for Wawa. I was crushed to find out that even JJam radio in Wawa was not in. So there we were in a Mexican standoff. On one side us and the other, a gigantic Goose. Do we stay with the flock or be radical and break out down the road.

As we drove, it amazed us that the locals seemed fascinated with their surroundings. We looked and kept looking for what we were missing. Even that (what we were missing) seemed elusive too. I will have to ask a local someday what I was missing because at 10 to 20 KPH below the speed limit, it must have been continuously fascinating.

Sadly the best we could muster was lot's of good conversation with those interested in the truck and Equitas. The locals having lots of time to look at my truck, seemed pleased with the decorations, waved and honked. I got some pictures for my Firefighter friends and it was nice to see that the Moose finally got the medical attention needed.

I am working the email and phone tonight and first thing tomorrow. I will definitely get more of the Equitas word out tomorrow. Even if I have to stay an extra day, it is worth it. Veterans are worth it and much much more.

Liberal MP Media Release

Map for 23 Sep Drive

Drive Tune 1

Drive Tune 2

Drive Song 3

TODAY'S PICTURES

FACT STRANGER THAN FICTION

Some days you wake-up with the very best intentions but life gets in the way. CTV was hoping to do a story on the drive this morning and if unable they had mentioned they would talk to Sudbury CTV. Well wouldn't you know it, North Bay had a record rainfall and this morning, it was still raining hard. The call never came from CTV which was understandable and without much delay we were off to Sudbury.

The rain was unrelenting. Having little hope of getting our story out in Sudbury, we carried on. Finally the rain stopped as we drove on. Knowing the weather was going to be good tomorrow, we decided to stop at this little town called, Blind River. A Motel to the right. A gas station and a Timmies' one block away. A restaurant (the 17) across the street, we were there.

Now that the rain had stopped it was time for my overdue oil change. A railway parking area was perfect and an old box to lie on, was all I needed. Now the fun points. On our drive, just as the rain stopped we saw the weirdest thing. I know I am going to sound like Rick Mercer but if you are ever in Sturgeon Falls Ontario and you decide to get married, the Limo you want is available. When we got to the fuel station in Blind River, a 1950 and 1953 camping combo came up. A real flash from the past.

As always, drivers and truckers constantly recognized our efforts with honks and waves all the way. I hope I can get some media in Sault Ste Marie but if not, Wawa and the big Goose, here we come!

Map for 22 Sep Depart at 9:00 and arrive Wawa at 3:00 PM

Driving Tune

PICTURES

AN EXCITING START 19 - SEP 2013

What a wonderful start to part 2 of my Cross Country Drive in Support of Equitas. I was honoured 
with some one on one time with the new Liberal VAC Critic, the Hon. Jim Karygiannis. Many issues were discussed and the meeting went very well. It appears to myself, that 
Mr. Trudeau and the Liberals understand very well the issues Equitas is fighting for and the damage
done since the introduction of the NVC (New Veterans Charter 2006). I have provided a link on my
blog to the website he has created for my journey. Many thanks for that.

Hon. Jim Karygiannis

Now on to the good stuff., the trip details. I will not go into the Parliament Hill portion since that has already been covered by Hon. Jim Karygiannis. After I departed the Hill, it was straight into traffic. Having looked at the truck at slow speed leaving Ottawa, the drivers were so friendly, courteous and helpful it was almost weird. Arrived in Pembroke after dark. We were so tired, I didn't even have a chance for a blog post.

Up this morning and ready to go. Fueled and full of coffee, we were on our way. Having had so much coffee the inevitable stop was required about 45 minutes after leaving. We pulled into a little shop looked at some possible gifts and we were off. Thank god we stopped. Not 5 minutes down the road we were just cresting a hill. When we got to the top we could see lots and lots of emergency vehicles. There had just.... I mean just been a multi-vehicle crash which involved, sadly fatalities. Being this was the only road from Pembroke to Sudbury, we were stuck. The police said it would be at least 8 to 10 hours before they could re-open the road. If we went back to Pembroke and took the only other road, it was an 8 hour drive to get to the same distance from Sudbury as we already were.

I looked at my truck and my surroundings. Lot's of trees I thought. There must be a logging road or something. I asked the police and they said anything around here is really rough but do what you want. While thinking about our next move, a reporter came up and asked about the truck and our trip. Wow, what luck. I got a roadside interview.

I turned the truck around and went back to the very first dirt road. I turned right because the other direction would have taken me to the river right away. Down the dirt road, about 3/4 of a mile I came upon an old abandoned railway line. Judging from the direction it looked like it was going, it looked like a great idea. Great to me but my wife on the other hand was just a little less sure. I reminded her that I had a winch installed and I could pull us out if needed and with that, we were gone. Now rough does not quite cover the ride we were getting in the truck. Good thing I do not have dentures because they would be long gone. As I drove we approached this rickety looking old bridge. Now even that was too scary for me. We saw a little path about 50 yards back that went through the trees. Backed up the truck and after a multi-point turn we were into the bush. We went down a hill to a clearing, 150 ft from the hwy on the other side. We squeezed between two trucks and we had the highway to ourselves.

Having lost so much time and a storm coming in, we decided to stop in North Bay. I went right away to Rodgers and the Moose, the two local radio stations and CTV. Ctv said they would set something up for my departure tomorrow, the 21st. So looking at your maps, we will be in Sudbury tomorrow night then back on schedule, just one day later than indicated. That was something, ah? Music and Map to follow in your links. Good night.

21 Sep Depart North Bay 10:00 for Sudbury Arrive 2:00PM

Drive Music - Enjoy

WE ARE AT THE POST- Departure 19 Sep

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported our Veterans. It is not just for November 11th that we should show our gratitude. Our freedoms we enjoy everyday are because of their sacrifice.

I am humbled by the dedication, loyalty and integrity of our front line RCMP, EMS, Firefighters and Military. They get up and do the hard things. They get up and answer when a person who needs "SOMEBODY" to help them, calls.

Media News Release - Office of the Hon. Jim Karygiannis, P.C., M.P.

Equitas and their brave men and women, are taking the Government to Court over the New Veterans Charter. Any one person or group of people can make a mistake and do something wrong or go the wrong direction. The challenge is to know when this happens or is happening and change direction or a decision. It takes guts to do that. Veterans have gone forward in an effort to force a change and have all Veterans treated EQUALLY. Veterans at Equitas have asked for help both monetarily and by actions that will help their cause.

I have answered their call for help in both ways. Both monetarily and through this awareness drive. I am using my own retirement money and I am receiving no financial backing what so ever. This is just a Veteran helping other Veterans just because they asked and for no other reason. ALL FOR ONE!

15 September S.O.S. Dedication

Some Photo Memories