Organizers of an annual walk on Saturday were honouring the burden first responders and military members carry in the wake of the Canadian Forces Base Wainwright fire. The Rucksack March for Remembrance saw nearly 200 participants carrying 20 kilograms outdoors for the 10th year in support of Wounded Warriors Canada. Amanda Aube joined the walk with just 20 people a decade ago after her husband died by suicide. “I was 32 years old and suddenly facing life as a widow,” she told the crowd on Saturday. “The loss was devastating and completely unexpected. Elliott served in the armed forces for 22 years. He joined just before his 18th birthday. Devoted more than half of his life to serving his country … As my family and I began our way forward, helping people became part of my purpose.” She says Rucksack for Remembrance has become a way to help others shoulder the weight of mental health for those on the front lines and their families. This week, participants were also feeling the loss of the four soldiers killed and dozens more injured after a fast-moving fire at the Wainwright military base on Oct. 17. Edmonton fire rescue Chief David Lazenby says the loss highlights the need for first responders to speak up when they need help. “In our line of work, the heaviest things we carry don’t fit in a rucksack,” he said Saturday. “Today, you’re carrying the weight for the men and women who are simply too exhausted to carry it for themselves.” Wound Warrior Canada aims to fill in support gaps in the aftermath of tragic losses. “It’s going to take time for the organizations to figure out what they need for support. And then it’s going to take time to figure out what’s missing with the supports that they already have in place,” organizer Ian Hall said. “Then that’s where our charity comes in.” His message for those who need support, especially as loss is fresh, is relatively simple: Get taken care of. The march itself started because those working in first responder fields wanted to help one another, he added. “We decided we could get people together and go for a walk. If, when people are walking, they want to talk about their experiences, that’s fine. If they just want to talk about sports and weather, that’s fine too,” he said. “Trauma is trauma, regardless of how it came into your life and how it changes you.” With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Curtis Goodrum
