Two people on a mission have undertaken a memorable journey that has resonated with residents in the Pembina Valley.
Colonel (Ret’d) Bob Poirier and Major Steve Sloat are the individuals behind OPERATION GRIND FOR GUNNERS, an initiative that aims to cycle to every artillery unit in Western Canada from Victoria to Kenora.
The lofty project aims to raise funds for the personnel of the artillery branch, also known as gunners, who have “fallen on hard times,” according to Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret'd) Mark Wilson, a Winklerite who joined the pair in both British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
Extra support
The structure of the ride across Western Canada is relay-style — as one person cycles, the other drives (and camps in) a support vehicle.
Wilson said the project is raising funds for the Royal Canadian Artillery Association's (RCAA) gunner peer support program, with which he is more than familiar.
“I was in artillery for 28 years, and when I was the commanding officer of the unit, I had a chance to use that program for some of my troops. It was an amazing program,” he said. “[It allowed us] to help in situations when maybe different policies didn't allow us to help otherwise.”
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Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret'd) Wilson has seen the impact of the gunner peer support program through the RCAA firsthand. He said the fund assisted a person in his unit whose house burned down, and it was also the reason why another individual away on a military course could return home after their father passed away.
“It's not going to solve your problems, but it puts some money in some people's hands quickly,” he said.
Beyond the support that the program offers, it’s also a chance to honour a branch of the Canadian Armed Forces.
“It's actually something useful, and it's encouraging to know that once you've been a gunner, you're always a gunner — that there's this family looking after you,” said Wilson.
Being a part of the cause
For Wilson’s part, both he and his wife, Deana, participated in OPERATION GRIND FOR GUNNERS by taking to the roads in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
In both locations, the Wilsons have given their support to Colonel (Ret’d) Poirier and Major Sloat in the form of cycling for day-long stretches, which is an experience that Wilson describes as not altogether unpleasant.
“The solitary piece is actually kind of nice,” he said. “You experience the world around you in a different way than if you're just driving or on a motorcycle or something. You're more a part of it.”
In the end, however, the goal was to do one’s part.
“We're just trying to take some of the load off,” said Wilson.
“I think it's important that people serve the country, and I think it's very encouraging when you see people actually supporting the people who do that.”
To support OPERATION GRIND FOR GUNNERS, click here.
With files from Ty Hildebrand