Over the weekend of Sept. 21-22, veterans and civilians in 14 cities across Canada will once again walk shoulder-to-shoulder in the seventh annual Canadian Walk For Veterans. The goal is to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those who serve our country and to express our gratitude for their service.
The 2024 Canadian Walk for Veterans also marks the launch of a new era, as True Patriot Love Foundation becomes the national coordinator of the walk after taking the reins from One Veteran Society, the founder of the walk.
“We will have refreshment there will be some displays by other first responders, there will be an informal introduction and we will walk round the park on the trail holding space for those who have served ahead of us and those that are still serving. It’s a really great family day to come and walk twice, 15 or 30 laps, whatever anybody wants to do,” said Michelle McKeaveney, the Coordinator for the Prince Albert Walk.
The Prince Albert walk takes place on Sunday, Sept. 22 from 1-5 p.m. at Kinsmen Park, Central Ave. and 26th Street North West, beginning at the Kinette Amphitheatre. Registration opens at noon.
Net proceeds from the Prince Albert Walk will support the valuable work of River Valley Resilience Retreat and True Patriot Love, Canada’s national military foundation. True Patriot Love provides funding to local and national mental health programs, recovery and rehabilitation services, and the competitors of Team Canada at the 2025 Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler.
“We just encourage people who has a connection to a first responder, or you have ever called 911 before or you have a veteran in your family or someone who served in Cyprus, Afghanistan, Croatia, Bosnia, any one of the peace keeping tours, we’re there that day to honour and show our respect for all those who gave up their time to support other countries as well as representing Canada,” said McKeaveney.
Each year, the Canadian Walk for Veterans invites Canadians to walk together in recognition of serving members of the armed forces, Veterans and their families. The walk also provides an opportunity to learn more about the mental and physical challenges faced by those who serve our country and to recognize the sacrifices they and their families make on behalf of Canadians. The theme for the 2024 walk is “A Veteran’s Recovery Journey”.
As well as Prince Albert participating walk locations in 2024 include Abbotsford, Courtenay, Kamloops and White Rock, BC; Calgary and Cold Lake, AB; Huntsville, Kingston, and Ottawa, ON; Philipsburg, QC; and Amherst, Bridgewater and Halifax, NS.
Those who cannot attend a walk in one of the 14 locations but would like to support Canadian Veterans and their families can register for a Virtual Walk and participate where they want, when they want.
Everyone who registers will receive the 2024 Canadian Walk for Veterans challenge coin produced by Veteran-owned Sharkz Coins of Esquimalt, B.C.
“We are just honoured to be chosen for Saskatchewan to be able to do this and host it here is very important to all of us,” she said.
Registration and contact details for each walk location and Virtual Walk registration, the donation and tax receipt portal, and information about how to start a walk in your own city or town can all be found at www.canadianwalkforveterans.com.
editorial@paherald.sk.ca
