About 75 members of the Wounded Warriors Weekend Foundation organization made a stop in Westlock last week for a weekend retreat.
On Aug. 3, a bus full of military veterans and first responders and their families, hailing from all over Canada and the United States, were escorted by more than a dozen members riding motorcycles.
Their destination was Slave Lake for a weekend full of peaceful relaxation and camaraderie — something they have more than earned for their service overseas and at home as well as the experiences they’ve had and memories they live with everyday.
The Wounded Warriors Weekend Foundation was started by Blake Emmons in 2012 as a way to support and bring together military members, veterans and first responders who are ill or have been injured in the course of their duties.
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide are major issues among this demographic.
Emmons is Vietnam War veteran.
“All I ever wanted was awareness,” said Emmons before departing the Westlock Inn after his lunch and hitting the road for Slave Lake.
Attendees of the Slave Lake weekend retreat can expect there to be some fishing and golfing, entertainment and a gala dinner, all stress and anxiety free activities, said Emmons, but they can also expect to meet some new people in similar situations.
He tells the emotional stories of the men and women who sacrificed their physical and mental wellbeing to serve their country and community, some of whom he has had a role in guiding away from the edge of despair.
Emmons stressed that the organization is not just for military veterans and first responders either. There have even been trauma nurses, correctional officers and tow truck drivers involved in the organization.
“It’s not as simplistic as a support group,” said Emmons.
“We’re facilitators to try to get them together because they support each other. They also find out that it’s OK not to be OK.”
Participants and volunteers of the foundation can be recognized by their red shirts and the dandelion pin they wear to signify the fact that they can’t be killed, they keep coming back and they’re everywhere.
Along with the adoption of the dandelion as it’s symbol in 2015, the Wounded Warriors Weekend Foundation also introduced the mantra “Thriving Despite Adversity.”
“I can give you a list of names to call and they will tell you ‘We’re above ground because of Wounded Warriors Weekend,’” said Emmons.
Next year’s retreat will take place over the August long weekend in Murray’s Pond, Newfoundland.
