When Canadians gather coast-to-coast-to-coast on November 11th to remember, and honour, those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom, it would be prudent to remember those have struggled upon returning home.
That’s the word from Peterborough resident Patrick Schillemat, a retired Canadian Armed Forces member and, since 2021, an ambassador for veterans’ mental health advocate and service provider Wounded Warriors Canada.
Diagnosed with PTSD upon leaving the military, Schillemat has been involved with numerous fundraising initiatives that have benefitted Wound Warriors, including a special night at a recent Peterborough Petes game that saw $7,000 raised. He says while honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice is important, so too is keeping those who suffered mental or physical injury in our thoughts.
Schillemat says Wounded Warriors’ motto of “Honour the Fallen, Help the Living” says it all in terms of the organization’s mandate.
Schillemat says having top officials from military and emergency response sectors take part in the Petes’ game ceremony sent an important message.
Schillemat is encouraged by Ottawa’s allotment of $28 million in support of military members, families and local communities affected by the devastating October fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta.
(Written by: Paul Rellinger)
