By Matt Weingarden
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Tilbury Times Reporter
A retired military man has taken up the cause to assist fellow homeless veterans.
Ken MacKay of Port Dover is walking more than 800 kms from Windsor to Ottawa as part of his Trek 4 Vets project, recently passing through Chatham-Kent. He is hoping to raise funds to assist those in need.
“This is a partnership with an organization named Homes for Heroes, a nonprofit that builds villages with tiny homes and support services for military veterans,” he explained. “So, I’m raising funds and awareness for our homeless veterans.
MacKay estimates that there are anywhere from 2,500 to 10,000 homeless veterans across Canada.
“There could be more because veterans are very proud and they don’t want to ask for help,” MacKay said. “So, a lot of them couch surf and go from place to place. It takes them a lot to ask for help.”
MacKay, 65, joined Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry when he was 18 and served for three years. Later, he spent nine years as a reservist with the 48th Highlanders.
Homes for Heroes has established villages in Calgary, Edmonton, and Kingston, with expansion planned for Winnipeg and London.
“Through relationships I’ve established with other vets I’ve seen firsthand many suffering from PTSD and struggling with addiction and trauma because of the sacrifices they made,” he added.
“Those who did go overseas and were in combat or have seen horrible things. They’re affected. Many are living on the streets, and I don’t think our government is doing enough to help them. They sacrificed a lot and some of them are being forgotten.”
The journey required plenty of strategic planning. MacKay said the help of legions and members across the province have been paramount to the success of the trip.
According to his plan, the trek will take 42 days.
“With the help of our support team, we were able to figure out that there are legions approximately every 25 kms along the route,” he said. “I’ve been very fortunate to find plenty of people willing to assist and put me up for the night.”
While in Belle River, he stayed with Legion president Richard Brooks.
MacKay now serves as sergeant at arms at his local legion in Port Dover, where the organization held a BBQ to send him on his way and raised $10,000.
MacKay is no stranger to long treks, but he admits this will be the longest walk he’s ever attempted. MacKay says that he has done two “Caminos” – mountain pilgrimages in Spain and Portugal that are hundreds of kilometres long.
The walk will be no easy feat, given the unpredictable weather. He will walk six days out of the week, allowing one day to do laundry and rest his body.
“I like walking solo…it’s a form of meditation for me; I like having not to think about anything in particular,” he laughed.
