April 14 rucksack march to raise awareness of PTSD support groups
Event open to all veterans and non-veterans
Todd Muise, a former member of the Royal Canadian Regiment, says he was talking to a new acquaintance this winter who told him he likes to rucksack march to pass the time when he exercises.
That’s when Muise got the idea of organizing a rucksack march to help raise awareness about the support groups available for veterans suffering with PTSD, operational stress injury, anxiety, depression or substance abuse.
Last year he and Andre Boudreau ( both members of the Wedgeport legion) launched a coffee group, inviting veterans troubled by painful memories to meet with them and others in informal coffee sessions on Monday evenings 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Muise says support groups an places like Wounded Warrior, Atlantic Heroes and Rally Point Retreat are open to not just veterans, but also firefighters, paramedics, police officers and others.
The April 14 march will be open to everyone – veterans and non-veterans – and a rucksack (a heavy-filled backpack) is optional, but Muise and Boudreau encour- age participants to wear one.
“This was our meat and gravy, how we got from A to B. We loaded up with 100 pounds or whatever we had that needed to be loaded and off we went,” says Muise.
He adds they are hoping a group from Greenwood participates. He’s also getting registrations from RCMP and cadets.
He emphasizes that the event, which starts at the Yarmouth cenotaph and proceeds through Dayton and Hebron to the memorial at Maple Grove Education Centre and then back to the Yarmouth legion, is not a race, but an organized march.
A military vehicle will lead the way starting at 9 a.m. RCMP and fire departments are also participating. Muise’s goal is for the march to move along at the rate of 10 to 15 minutes per kilometre. It is a 14-kilometre march and a slower pace would take three or four hours to complete.
“It’s a challenge. Andre and I know. I walked one Sunday and did 11 km with a rucksack. My shin splints came back, my shoulders hurt. It felt good,” says Muise.
“The last time I did one I was 50-some-odd years old in Gagetown,” says Boudreau.
Those who can only complete half the march can still compete. Organizers just ask that you notify them before leaving.
“We just want to keep track of the numbers and don’t want to leave anyone behind. We do it as a group. That’s our motto ‘Leave no one behind,’” says Muise.
The event is jointly-sponsored by the Yarmouth and Wedgeport Royal Canadian Legions. Tables will be set up at the finish of the march at the Branch 61 Legion in Yarmouth, off Parade Street, with refreshments and information on support groups.
Donations are welcome in support of Rally Point Retreat, Sable River, Shelburne County.