COLD LAKE - The Canadian Walk for Veterans made its debut in Cold Lake, uniting military and civilian communities to honour veterans and raise awareness for those affected by operational stress injuries.
The Sept. 22 event was held at the Cold Lake Legion Branch #211, the event featured a 5 km walk, followed by a presentation from Quilts of Valour. The initiative celebrates the sacrifices of veterans while also raising funds for local military programs and the Invictus Games.
“I’ve always wanted to have the walk here because I think every military town should have a veterans’ walk,” said Dan Hansen, the organizer of the event in Cold Lake.
Hansen explained his personal motivation for bringing the Canadian Walk for Veterans to Cold Lake, saying, "Myself, I was 17 years in, I was a military police officer for most of that time, a medic before that. I was released medically and then basically, like most veterans when they are released, I wanted to give back."
The Canadian Walk for Veterans serves not only to honour veterans but also to raise funds for important causes. This year, 60 per cent of the proceeds will benefit the Cold Lake Legion, while 40 per cent will go to support the Invictus Games, a competition for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, founded by Prince Harry.
The event saw a larger turnout than expected, with 39 participants, which was double the number of online registrations. Hansen hopes to continue growing the event in the coming years, with a vision for it to become a staple in Cold Lake.
“I wanted to set a footprint… so that it becomes a perennial event where people know that every fall it’s the Veterans Walk,” Hansen said.
Before the walk, attendees watched presentation by Bonnie-jo Clark from Quilts of Valour, an organization that provides handmade quilts to Canadian Armed Forces members dealing with both visible and invisible injuries. Following the presentation, quilts were awarded to veterans and service members as a gesture of gratitude for their service.
Clark shared the origins of the initiative, which began in 2006 with a quilt presented to three soldiers injured in Afghanistan. Since then, Quilts of Valour Canada has become a national charity, with thousands of quilts given to veterans and serving members.
“The quilts come from individuals, groups, and guilds, men and women, young people, retired armed forces members, and many others with no connection to the military,” said Clark.
Hansen emphasized that one of the key benefits of the Canadian Walk for Veterans is encouraging veterans to step out of isolation and connect with others.
"I want to see more veterans get out and be outside of their house," he said. "For myself, part of PTSD is you like solitude and quietness, and this kind of breaks that and helps you come out of your shell a little bit."
He also highlighted the role of the Cold Lake Legion, which played a significant part in organizing the event. The Legion aims to engage the community beyond Remembrance Day, and the walk provided an opportunity to bring more people into the Legion.
“They want people to use their Legion. So having the walk means it’s another day where they’re coming here and being at the Legion,” Hansen explained.
In addition to supporting local veterans, Hansen encouraged individuals who wish to donate to seek information about other organizations like the True Patriot Love Foundation, Wounded Warriors, and the Veterans Society, all of which provide resources and support to those who have served.
