Follow me along The Road To Valour

This is where my blog posts will appear. They will be related to what is near to my heart and to what this project is all about – for the most part. Most of the posts will be written by me, but from time to time I will have guest bloggers post on subjects near to them. If you have a topic that you think bears discussion, let me know. I can try to post on it, or I can hand my pen over to you for your insight.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

Trans Canada Trails Support

I’m thrilled to share that Trans Canada Trail—the organization behind the world’s longest recreational trail—has taken note of The Road To Valour, my upcoming 2,500 km bike journey in support of mental health for veterans and first responders. In a recent social media posting, Trans Canada Trail posted a very positive note of support for The Road…
Colonel Sam Hughes: Controversial Architect of Canada’s WWI Effort

This has been a long time coming. I think I’ve let the noise in my head take over, but something special gave me the push I needed. I’m thrilled to welcome my first Gold Corporate Sponsor: Jonathan Dobroskay of Edward Jones. Not only does he manage my (admittedly modest) finances, but he’s also a friend…
Mental Health: Let’s Talk

Until recently, mental health, and more specifically mental disorders and Operational Stress Injuries (OSI) like PTSD have been taboo subjects. Over the past few years that has slowly started to change. We are now more aware of the challenges mental health injuries pose. These injuries have a tragic impact on our Veterans, First Responders, and…
Canada Prepares for War

Today I want to start writing about Canadian military history. I have chosen to start with World War 1. Today, 21 November, 2023, is also a significant day in the life span of The Road To Valour project. Today marks 18 months before the ride begins. It should be noted that Canada was a participant…
Art and Memory: Sculpting Memories of a D-Day Veteran

In 2019 I participated in my first Battlefield Bike Ride (BBR) with Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC). The ride, called Operation Overlord, marked the 75th anniversary of the greatest amphibious assault in history. Our ride began in Dieppe, France. The Dieppe Raid, officially called Operation Jubilee, was launched on 19 August 1942. With 3,367 of the nearly 5,000-strong Canadian contingent killed, wounded or…
A Thanksgiving Day Message

In Canada today, the second Monday in October, it is Thanksgiving. Canadian troops attend a Thanksgiving Mass in the bombed-out Cambrai Cathedral, France, in October 1918. When I lived in the US, I would hear comments that our Thanksgiving was earlier than the US version because our harvest season is so much earlier. Of course, if…