By Greg Fry

Veterans find comfort in annual motorcycle trip

Jun 6, 2018 | 10:03 AM

KAMLOOPS — It’s an event veterans look forward to each year and it’s happening again this weekend: the Red Friday Ride to Lac La Hache.

It’s organized by the UN Nato Veterans group and spokesperson Paul Lagace calls it a “gathering to share stories and to share time.”

“The goal is to just bring veterans that are often in need of talking or sharing or just doing things together.”

A veteran of 21 years including deployments in Canada, Europe and the Middle East, Lagace says PTSD is a common ailment veterans face but says veterans face difficulties in adjusting to life in general, too.

“The fact that when you live in the military and you leave, it’s a drastic change. So, what we’re trying to do is remember who we are.”

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He says riders will leave The Verse in Kamloops Friday at noon and says veterans from all over the Interior will meet Friday night in Lac La Hache. On Saturday, he says riders will head to Forest Grove for supper at the legion before enjoying breakfast in 100 Mile House Sunday morning and then heading home.

“I think it’s going to be a wonderful ride. We may not have a lot of numbers but it’s not the numbers we’re looking for, it’s the connection.”

Participants without a motorcycle are invited to drive their vehicles. For more information you can call Lagace at (250) 682-8378 or email him at pmlagace31@gmail.com.

by Greg Fry

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Veterans find comfort in annual motorcycle trip

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