By Scott Taylor
On Sunday August 25 eight hearty cyclists completed a 243 kilometre round-trip trek (Ottawa-Cornwall-Ottawa) as part of a fundraising campaign for Wounded Warriors. The cyclists were either members of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa or the Cornwall based Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders. The finish line for this ride was the landmark Cartier Square Drill Hall and close to 100 attendees were on hand to celebrate the cyclists efforts. Ottawa City Councillor David Hill, himself a veteran of the war in Afghanistan introduced keynote speaker, Senator and ret'd Rear Admiral Rebecca Patterson. Patterson addressed the importance of veterans seeking the mental health care they may require as a result of their service and not to be ashamed in going so. Patterson highlighted this point by mentioning the fact that while Afghanistan war claimed the lives of 158 soldiers, more than 500 of our veterans have taken their own lives since that conflict. Wounded Warriors is a charitable organization dedicated to connecting veterans with mental health care services. Following Senator Patterson, Cornwall mayor Justin Towndale and serving Captain with the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders thanked the participants. Also on hand was Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Hendry who thanked the participating Highlander cyclists (Hendry actually commands both regiments) and he commended the organizers and sponsors of the event. Catering was provided by Leather Works catering, Vimy Brewery and Kin Vinyards of Carp, Ontario. The major organizer was the Sandstone Group with efforts headed by Corporal Matthew Trapp who moonlights as a Cameron Highlander. Lt.Col Hendry and Sergeant-Major CWO Ian Port presented Trapp with a ceremonial coin in recognition his contribution to this cycling fundraiser. In the 5 years that the Highlanders have conducted these fundraisers they have contributed over $35K to the Wounded Warriors. Sunday's event raised an estimated $7.5K.
