A little support can go a long way to help military veterans readjust to civilian life.
Support might come from the Royal Canadian Legion — formed nearly a century ago to assist and to remember men and women who have served the country — or from a program such as Soldier On, which helps Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans via sport and recreation.
Sean Calis speaks highly of Soldier On. The 51-year-old Courtenay resident is a retired search and rescue technician (SAR Tech) who had previously served in the army. As a member of the airborne regiment, his tours of duty took him to places such as the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. He was medically released in 2016 after sustaining some injuries. He served for 30 years.
Calis considers himself fortunate that the occupation offered decent pay and a pension. He said he has been compensated fairly for injuries.
“I have no complaints,” he said.
But the return to civilian life hasn’t been easy.
“I think that’s the hardest for a person,” said Calis, who is married and has two sons. “It’s (military) kind of like being institutionalized…Getting out was difficult because it’s all I ever did. The first year was easier than the second year.”
In terms of reaching out for assistance, finding a doctor and receiving counselling.
“You’re so regimented all your life, and then not to have that, and then try to put it in your house and not be over-bearing with your family.
“Everything you do is for the benefit of the guys you work with, and help Canadians,” he added. “When you’re not doing it any more, you kind of feel irrelevant. And to feel irrelevant, that’s the hardest part.”
Calis receives monthly treatment to maintain mobility and mental stability. The Soldier On program also helped out by paying for his accommodations and flight to Ottawa, where he competed in a half marathon.
“Soldier On takes you in there and you feel military again. It’s a lot of camaraderie. You have all this counseling, plus they incorporate bringing fitness back in your life.”
Ron Gillis, another veteran who resides in the Comox Valley, notes that some retired members suffer from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) while others may have hardcore injuries.
“They (Soldier On) teach them different skills that maybe they wouldn’t have picked up,” said Gillis, 64, who served 43 years in the reserves and the regular force. He was stationed in various parts of Canada as well as Baden, Germany. He has been deployed overseas.
“My whole life’s been military,” Gillis said. “It was interesting. It certainly opened up my eyes to a lot of things.”
Gillis’ wife also served in the military. The couple raised three children, who have given them seven grandchildren. Number eight is on the way.
Like Calis, Gillis served in the Canadian Airborne Regiment. The two men are also members of local Legions.
“At the time I was growing up, no matter where you went, the size of the town, there was a Legion,” said Gillis, who is the sergeant-at-arms at the Courtenay Legion.
He said last year was a banner year for the poppy fund, which is not a Legion slush fund but supports veterans who are in dire need. As an example, the fund could support a hospital request for a specially designed wheelchair for veterans.
Comprised largely of volunteers, Gillis said the Legion supports community sports teams, and raises money via meat draws and other events to support the community. The upstairs at Branch 17 contains a large kitchen space, used by groups such as the Comox Valley Head Injury Society and Courtenay Peppermill. The latter supports individuals with mental illness and/or addiction.
Calis and his wife both volunteer at the Comox Legion.
“I find it therapeutic,” he said. “It helps with my physical and mental health. I’ve improved a lot. Now I want to give back.
“When you go back to the Legion, you feel relevant, and you start talking about things that happened 10 years ago, 20 years ago, or only five years ago,” Calis added. “Maybe it’s a funny story, and you feel good about yourself again. That’s important. To get out of the military and become a recluse, and sit in your house and feel unimportant — everybody likes to feel like they’re needed.”
