Save the date September 21, for the return of the Halifax version of the national Canadian Walk for Veterans, organized by True Patriot Love and working in collaboration with the team formerly known as One Veteran Society. This strategic merger will enhance support for Canada’s military, veterans and their families. The 2024 theme is “A veteran’s recovery journey.”
Hosted locally by Terry Kelly and Dan Hennessey, the walk will take place at 9:30 a.m. at the Emera Oval, on the Halifax Commons. The funds raised from this year’s walk will be donated to Paws Fur Thoughts, an organization which provides service dogs to veterans of the RCMP and military. National fundraising will help veterans across Canada on their recovery journey, through the power of sport, arts and through the Vancouver Whistler 2025 Invictus Games. This includes funding programs that improve the rehabilitation and recovery journey through the power of sport, expeditions, and community-based programming. With your registration fee, you will help provide a life-changing gift.
Or, if you can’t make the Halifax walk, join Hennessey on his South Shore stomping grounds as he sneaks in an extra opportunity Friday, September 20. A Bridgewater walk will be hosted by HB Studios Sports Centre at 10:30 a.m.: register online for the Halifax event, but show up in Bridgewater a day earlier!
Every registered participant will receive the 2024 True Patriot Love Canadian Walk for Veterans challenge coin, manufactured by veteran-owned Sharkz Coins of Esquimalt. The front of the coin will highlight the walk, while the back will showcase a variety of adaptive sports that can aid recovery journeys of those who served.
Hennessey served as the honorary colonel of 14 Construction Engineering Squadron for nine years. A strong proponent of the Canadian Armed Forces dating from his early years as an Air Cadet, he organized a successful annual Yellow Ribbon campaign in Bridgewater and spearheaded memorials to Corporal Paul Davis, a local casualty of the Afghanistan mission; Private Rick Green (Afghanistan 2002) and Signalman Philip Crouse (peacekeeping in the Middle East in 1966): and Private Nathan Smith (Afghanistan 2002). He also worked with 12 Wing Shearwater’s 423 Squadron on the memorial for the April 2020 Stalker helicopter crash, and is currently working on a memorial for 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron Captain Jenn Casey (May 2020).
Newfoundland-born singer/ songwriter Kelly, a former honorary colonel of 14 Wing Greenwood, lived in Halifax from age seven, attending the Halifax School for the Blind and boarding with a retired military family. His musical career and athletic achievements – all as a blind person, comes from his own personal quest for challenge and love of life. He has performed for the troops in Afghanistan, is most recognized for his inspirational song, “A Pittance of Time,” and is a member of the Order of Canada.
Both Kelly and Hennessey are on board to make this third Canadian Walk for Veterans in Halifax a success – and a fun event. Don’t miss out! Register to walk today at canadianwalkforveterans.com.
