EQUITAS SOCIETY SUPPORT and VETERAN's UNITY DRIVE
CROSS CANADA
DRIVING SONG NO.1
DRIVING SONG NO.2
DRIVING SONG NO.3
Well hello again road warriors. There is so much to tell you it is hard to find a spot to begin. Well let us go back to North Sydney. There is not much going on in North Sydney other than the weather. The people, as always are kind and friendly. As instructed, we arrived at the ferry loading area 2 1/2 hours before scheduled departure.
My Truck with all of it's flags, stickers and signs is hardly noticeable. None the less, people did notice it and wow, did I get a reception. The first gentleman who came over to talk was kind of shy at first. He was interested in Equitas and it's mission. He then proceeded to tell me a story of his son. His name is Trevor (I believe Dad, I got that right). He wanted to be sure I got his son's name right because you see, I have a picture of a different Trever on my Truck. This Tever had a poem written as a memorial for him and people with PTSD. I found it so moving I put it on the Truck so everyone could understand how someone with PTSD feels.
Back to Trevor's Dad. He began to tell me the story of how his son was injured in Afganistan. He told me, his son was in a negotiation with the Talliban when someone came in with an axe and struck him in the head. The details of his injury I will leave out for those with a sensitive stomach but, suffice to say, getting hit hard in the head with an axe is not good. His brain trauma was extensive. His Father, who I was talking to was visibly shaken but composed. He was so proud of his son and proud of the Veterans that were out there, such as myself, helping pave the way for the inevitable new group of Veterans in the future. We discussed the problems with the New Veterans Charter (NVC) and our mutual disappointment in our Government. We talked about the shame brought on this country when it's own Veterans have to take their own Government to court for fair treatment.
We talked about politics for a bit then I asked him for a favor. I asked if he could give his son something for me. He asked, what would you like me to give him? I popped open one of the many plastic containers in the box of my Truck and pulled out a Equitas T-Shirt for him. I said, "please give him this and tell him that we have not forgotten and are still doing what we can as Veterans to right this wrong (NVC)". He said his son would be thrilled and he took a picture of me and the T-Shirt I was to give him. We exchanged emails and he was off. By this time others were interested in the cause. They too had seen the T-Shirt, and asked for one. They wanted to know how much I was selling them for? I pulled out some shirts, shook their hands and said they are free from me as long as you promise me you will donate to the Equitas Society directly. They promised on their word and I gave them a shirt.
A little while later, a rather large man with a cane came over to me. He smiled stuck out his hand in friendship and said only,"thank you for your service." Of course, as any gentleman would, he said the same to my wife, a Veteran herself of 30 years. This man with the cane just happened to be a fellow by the name of, "Trapper." He is the Head of CAV (Canadian Army Veterans) and 1 CAV. Canada is divided into three different areas for the CAV. 1 CAV is central Canada. 2 CAV is eastern Canada and 3 CAV is Western Canada. We had a great talk and made plans for the future.
You know there are some days that just warm your heart so much and give you that little spring back in your step. Well the morning of the 5th of September was that day for me. I had just arrived in Newfoundland. It was windy, foggy, cold and of course wet. With all that said, I rolled off the Ferry and who was waiting to escort myself and my little truck? None other than the Heads of 1 CAV 2 CAV and the former head of CAV. I would never want to miss an opportunity to thank all the spouses of Veterans and of course Trappers Wife was right there with him and the other leaders of CAV. As I drove along towards St. John's, escorted by the CAV leaders, the wind blowing, rain and wind ever present, I was proud. I said to myself, I need to remember the example of leadership that is being shown to me and keep those and meld them into my own person. Lead by example.
I departed St. John's, Signal Hill at 1:00 pm or 1300 hrs to begin my drive in support of Equitas. A wonderful start. An example of leadership I will never forget and a father's smile as I gave his son that shirt. I got promises of donations to Equitas.
All in all. A damn good start. I will be departing Gander 07 Sep for the west coast ferry back to Nova Scotia, departing on the 9th.
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