Parade draws attention to veterans and reaches out to those in crisis

Walks to raise awareness held in Cambridge and 20 other Canadian communities

CAMBRIDGE — Kitchener’s Jim Tolmie served in the military for more than 35 years and knows that the switch to civilian life can be challenging.

“It’s quite a transition and you don’t really realize how you lost a lot of the camaraderie that the military provides,” Tolmie said.

Some veterans can struggle, and those are whom Tolmie wants to find as a volunteer with Veterans Emergency Transition Servic-

es Canada, or VETS Canada.

On Saturday, Tolmie led a walk in Cambridge for the national charity.

“The message is we are there,” he said.

Coast to Coast Tour of Duty walks led by teams of volunteers were held in 21 cities across Canada to raise awareness and locate veterans in crisis.

Last year, 33 veterans who were homeless or in crisis were identified, and the organization received many more referrals after the event thanks to the publicity.

Across Canada last year, it received 2,000 requests for help — double the previous year.

Assistance can be in the form of rent, temporary housing, referral for treatment, gift cards for food or whatever is needed. Basically what’s needed is a helping hand to “get them in the right direction,” Tolmie explained.

“We connect them to other agencies within the community as well.”

This is the third year for the walk but the first locally. Tolmie, who looks after southwestern Ontario for the organization, thought Cambridge was a good spot for a walk because he has supported a number of veterans in need in the area.

They can be struggling financially, or with mental health or addiction issues, and it means a great deal if they have someone to reach out to for support or assistance.

“We understand some of these issues that they might be struggling with,” Tolmie said.

Volunteers and family members walked through downtown Galt, making stops at shelters and the food bank, and handing out pamphlets.

Tolmie hoped for a positive response from those they encountered.

“We can’t do this alone. We certainly need the support of the community,” he said.

Veterans were also recognized on Sunday in Waterloo with a parade and wreath-laying ceremony in Parkview Cemetery to mark Decoration Day. It began on June 2, 1890, to recognize veterans of Canada’s military.

MATHEW MCCARTHY WATERLOO REGION RECORD Paul Baker, left, salutes after placing a wreath at the cenotaph at Parkview Cemetery in Waterloo on Sunday. Veterans and Royal Canadian Legion members gathered to mark Decoration Day.

MATHEW MCCARTHY WATERLOO REGION RECORD Trevor Wagler conducts the Waterloo Concert Band near the cenotaph at Waterloo’s Parkview Cemetery on Sunday as part of ceremonies to mark Decoration Day, which recognizes those who served in the military.