Merritt’s Scott Casey awarded Governor General medal for volunteerism

Casey’s service to his country and community goes beyond his military involvement. The now-retired veteran has spent 20-plus years volunteering in countless capacities, including his work founding the Rolling Barrage PTSD Foundation.

“We’ve donated out close to $50,000 already this year to other organizations that are helping veterans and first responders,” explains Casey. “[It’s] really rewarding to see that it’s come this long, because I didn’t know how long it was going to last.”

Over the years, Casey has also been involved with the Royal Canadian Legion, Military Minds, Veterans of Steel, United Steelworkers Community Support, forming the Highland Valley Mental Health Committee, and he’s also become a Canadian ambassador of the Sons of Royalty — a U.K.-based charity motorcycle ride that raises money for children and youth who have been abused.

“Whenever they come to Canada, I’ll help facilitate them setting up here, organizing with their routes, hotels, and getting them all squared away, and then I participate as well,” said Casey.

And during the Merritt flooding in 2021, Casey volunteered with Team Rubicon Disaster Response.

“I actually went up and did a flight reconnaissance to prepare them for their entrance into the city,” he said.

The various events and organizations he spends his time with have fostered connections with people all around Canada and the world. Casey was nominated for the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by Kyle Scott, a veteran in Alberta who dedicates time to ensuring veterans who are owed or missing medals receive them.

The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers. (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today)

For Casey, the volunteerism medal from the Governor General’s Office is an appreciated gesture, but recognition isn’t why he steps up.

“I love seeing the good stories come out of it,” says Casey. “We’ve had so many people who I’ve helped out over the years — and through the organizations, as well — where they’ve found resilience and they’re carrying on. Back on duty or back to their regular life.”

In “retirement”, he still leads the Rolling Barrage ride each year, volunteers with the Canadian Country Music Hall of Honour in Merritt, and whatever else comes along.

“I try to stay busy,” he says. “Actually, on December 20, I’ll be in Kamloops cooking turkeys for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), so I’ll be downtown for that. And that’s how I fill my time. I used to go to work for a rest, and now I just have more time to do more good stuff, so it’s a win-win.”

For others who are interested in finding ways to give their time, Casey says it’s not complicated.

“I would say, go out and volunteer. Doesn’t matter what it is — if it’s at the racquetball club or baseball teams, whatever. Go out and see what’s out there,” encouraged Casey. “There’s mental health (organizations), you can look up the CMHA, you can look up the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the United Way — there’s all kinds of places where people can give their time. And it’ll help so many others.”

And take his word for it — it’s worth it.

“Receiving this medal is wonderful but it doesn’t compare to seeing people thriving again.”

by Dylana Kneeshaw

Merritt’s Scott Casey awarded Governor General medal for volunteerism

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