Rolling Barrage fights PTSD

The Rolling Barrage thundered into Steinbach on Aug. 9, taking the time to enjoy a lunch hosted by Big Freight Systems before hitting the highway on their battle against Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The 21-day motorcycle journey left St John’s, Nfld. and are expected to arrive in Aldergrove, B.C. on Aug. 17.

The ride endeavors to raise awareness and end the stigma of PTSD, described on their website as “an injury sustained from the traumas of one’s duty to protect Canada and her citizens”.

And while it was founded by Scott Casey, who served in the military and came back from The Balkans with PTSD, the event isn’t strictly for military personnel.

Instead, they welcome veterans, active-duty personnel in the military, RCMP and first responder communities.

Donations raised are used to sponsor recovery efforts and are donated to organizations that reflect their goals.

The first cross-Canada ride took place in 2017.

The Rolling Barrage Chief Operating Officer Mark Goldade left his Winnipeg business to take part in the leg across Manitoba.

He said he became involved after returning from his last posting in the Canadian military.

“Everybody here is involved in recovery to some degree from PTSD that has been sustained due to their time in service, whether it be Canadian military, police, fire, ambulance, first responder, correctional services or border services,” he said.

PTSD is not an injury that’s visible to others.

“It’s not something that shows on the outside and for many years we kept it inside and never addressed it,” he said. “In the end it led to a lot of suicides, to a lot of broken marriages, to a lot of destruction.”

While the ride raises funds that can go to various causes that combat PTSD, it also has a very real effect on those taking part.

“It’s hard to talk about,” Goldade said of the moments that create PTSD. “It’s very emotional.”

Every morning on the ride they have a dedication; a time people can talk and share. For many it’s the first time they’ve opened up, and that can lead to consequences.

“People have full on breakdowns on the road, not mechanical with a bike but mental with them,” he said. “Because they’re addressing issues and they’re leaving stuff on the road.”

Goldade described the support they get from sponsors such as Big Freight and supporters such as local police and fire as heartwarming and overwhelming.

“These organizations make time to come out and take part in the healing process but also to support,” he said.

Big Freight Systems not only offers the riders lunch but will transport bikes from the west coast to the east coast, making pickups along the way leading up to the ride and back again to drop bikes off when they’ve completed it.

Chief Operating Officer Rod Miron said their involvement began because one of their veteran drivers was also a military veteran of 22 years and knew founder Scott Casey. Big Freight also has other veterans on the payroll.

“The whole idea is to basically support not only veterans but first responders, paramedics, fire rescue, police, RCMP,” he said.

Last year Miron did one leg of the trip. “The idea is to get the guys out and get them talking,” he said.

More information can be found at therollingbarrage.com, where they are also hosting an online auction to raise funds for the cause.