Tegh Singh continues to cycle around Calgary despite the snow. The Iraq and Afghanistan veteran is cycling 100 kilometres across the city to raise money for the Veterans Transition Network.
“When I first signed up for Veterans Transition Network, which was a program that completely changed my life and saved my marriage, I found out about that program because I spoke to alumni here at the Veterans Association Food Bank,” Singh said on the first leg of his ride on Saturday morning.
Singh stated, “A few years ago, I could hardly leave my house.”
“Now look what I can accomplish with just a little help from these various organizations, and how I give it back to the community. I think we can say that for many veterans if we just band together to support them.”
He made several stops, including at the Dashmesh Culture Centre, the Veterans Association Food Bank, and Two Wheel View, a nearby cycling group.
Singh said cycling, his faith and the support of other veterans have been fundamental in healing from PTSD.
“I really wanted to come out and make a statement about the veteran community and show metaphorically and physically how much further veterans can go when they have a bit more support in their community,” said Singh who is riding considerably further than he did last year when he raised funds for VTN by cycling to military memorials.
Sven Stuwe, a volunteer mechanic with Two Wheel View, accompanied Singh through the ice and snow.
After Stuwe repaired one of Singh’s bikes, they become close. Singh claimed that his acquaintance is ideal for the challenging journey.
With his cycling expertise, being on the road, and also just having this bond with him over, sadly, trauma, Singh said it was a great source of comfort to have him along for the ride. He’s a fantastic friend, too.
Angela McKenzie, a close friend of Stuwe’s, died in May after becoming an unintentional target of a shooting.
Police got many reports of two vehicles driving erratically along 36 Street S. E. on May 10, 2022. when taking part in a shooting. At the intersection of 36 Street and 17 Avenue S. E., as a result, one of the cars struck a minivan that McKenzie was operating.
On seven warrants issued across Canada in connection with the tragedy, Talal Amer is still wanted.
According to Stuwe, “the anger is something that flares up more frequently.”
“There is sadness from time to time, but the fury comes out when you consider how it happened, the fact that the person is dead, and the fact that there is nothing you can do to change it. That sounds a lot like how soldiers must feel, I’m sure. ”
The two passed the scene of McKenzie’s death on Saturday while riding.
It causes some anxiety for me, said Stuwe. “You can’t help but take a closer look behind you to make sure all the vehicles are stopped.
It must be tenfold or a hundredfold for veterans of the armed forces.
Stuwe acknowledged that the trauma he experiences pales in comparison to what veterans endure, but he added that the ride has improved his comprehension of the problems veterans face and their capabilities.
VTN, according to Singh, is a “phenomenal organization” that supports veterans’ mental health.
“Mental health is really at the centre of a lot of the issues that veterans have with transitioning back into civilian life and VTN has an incredible program which addresses the grief and the trauma and lot of the common problems veterans face,” Singh said.
The Remington YMCA, Homes for Heroes veteran housing, The Military Museums, Peacekeeper Park, and Battalion Park were among the other stops on the Saturday bike ride for VTN.
Veteran cyclists from Calgary and a friend of the shooting victim cycle through the snow to raise PTSD awareness
About Author
