Imager Credit: Kathleen Fisher Photography

By Adam Donnelly

120 ACRES NEAR ASHCROFT

Honour Ranch to offer life-saving treatment for veterans and first responders

Oct 7, 2019 | 9:21 AM

ASHCROFT, BC — Nearly a decade ago, Al De Genova established Honour House. It was created as a place for injured veterans or first responders and their families to stay when they were in the Lower Mainland seeking medical treatment. Now, Honour House is expanding.

On Saturday, hundreds of uniformed military personnel, first responders, and civilians came together in the Thompson Valley near Ashcroft to celebrate the opening of Honour Ranch. It is a place for those suffering from operational stress injuries to get away from everything and focus on healing.

What started back in January as an idea became a reality Saturday afternoon. Honour Ranch Version 2.0 was unveiled to hundreds of military personnel, first responders, and members of the public. The Ranch will offer treatment for military personnel and first responders who are suffering from operational stress injuries like PTSD.

“Honour Ranch, like Honour House, is going to be [a] place where [first responders and military vets] can get help for them [and] their families,” Honour House Society President and founder Al De Genova explains. “Whatever it takes to see that their mental well-being will be okay.”

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Robert Parkinson (left) is presented a special medal from the Minister of National Defence by Al De Genova at the Honour Ranch opening. Image Credit: Kathleen Fisher Photography

In 2016, Honour House Society opened the first version in Heffley Creek. However, due to unforeseen factors like proximity to the CN Rail tracks, the location didn’t work out. So, the society went looking for a new home for Honour Ranch. The 120-acre ranch they found near Ashcroft is ideal for those who need to get away.

“There’s nothing about this property that I don’t like,” Robert Parkinson, Health and Wellness Director for the Ambulance Paramedics of British Columbia, tells CFJC Today. “It’s secluded, it’s away from people, yet it’s not very far away from the town of Ashcroft. There’s a whole bunch of different opportunities here. It’s really a good-feeling property.”

Parkinson is also a Director on the Honour House Society board. He’s among the hundreds of people who have volunteered countless hours getting the property ready.

“To think that we started basically in January, February [2019] — to get to where we are today in October is a [testament], a statement as to why it’s so important and why people believe in this,” he says.

De Genova was quick to give credit to local and provincial politicians who helped make sure the project was given priority. TNRD Area Director Steven Rice, local MLA Jackie Tegart, and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Judy Darcy were all on hand to help commemorate the occasion.

From left to right: Robert Parkinson, Bonaparte First Nation Elder Diane Sandy, BC Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Judy Darcy, TNRD Area Director Steven Rice, Captain Trevor Green, Honour House Society President Al De Genova. Image Credit: Kathleen Fisher Photography

“We know that being in the wilderness and being in nature is a very healing thing,” Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart says. “To have Honour Ranch open today is absolutely thrilling.”

“It’s going to be a place of healing for people who put themselves on the line for us every single day,” Minister Darcy says. “It really is our obligation to make sure we care for them, and that’s what Honour Ranch is all about.”

Captain Trevor Greene is the reason De Genova started Honour House Society. He was critically injured in Afghanistan when an insurgent hit him in the head with an axe. Thirteen years later, he knows first hand how important a place like Honour Ranch is to those recovering from both physical and psychological trauma.

“it’s critical because family is crucial to recovery,” Capt. Greene tells CFJC Today. “Having a place where you can take your family is fabulous.”

While the Ranch is now ready to host guests, the work is just beginning. De Genova says he expects programs for first responders and military personnel to be up and running by the new year.