A rolling barrage was a successful artillery formation devised by Canada during the First World War.
A century later, it’s the name of a national motorcycle journey to spotlight post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for veterans and first responders.
The ride started Aug. 6 in Halifax and arrives in Langley Aug. 21. The riders will overnight here before completing the final leg of the trek to Victoria.
“We are expecting to grow from last year’s numbers of 800 to 1,000,” said Brett Gale, spokesperson.
The riders are mostly veterans and first responders. The inaugural Rolling Barrage was in 2017, the brainchild of Cpl. Scott Casey (ret’d), the president and CEO of Military Minds. The international organization started as an online peer support group.
“Riders and supporters may join in at any point along the route and show a nationwide strength and unity that our Veterans, serving CAF members and first responders deserve. It is with this rolling community that we shall endeavour to conquer the stigma that surrounds PTSD and to provide care to those who need it through the service to our nation,” Casey said.
Active and retired military, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs are exposed to traumatic events that affect their lives.
The ride is intended to combat the stigma around mental illness as well as raise funds for Military Minds programs.
“This ride is open to all riders and not just military in nature. In fact, we openly invite civilian riders, as a way to show resounding support for our troops,” Casey said.
About 50 to 60 new riders join and leave the ride for the different legs of the journey. Real-time tracking allows the public to know the ride’s location. On Thursday afternoon, the group left the Trans Canada Highway to head north for Saskatoon.