Page 6 - IssueNo101

6 Issue #101 June 2021 www.sportsenergynews.com

Thank You for Your Service!

Ken Stephens

By Casey Leger Technician and Air Traffic Control
RADAR Controller, and over 20 years
or some, serving is a pleasure as of working as a civilian, Stephens
Fwell as an honour and a duty. Ken has always felt a deep compassion
Stephens is that kind of man. Stephens for his fellows. While posted to BFC
signed his Oath of Allegiance at Valcartier, home of the famous Royal
CFB London in January of 1979, 22e Régiment - commonly known as
and he retired in January of 1999 at The Vandoos - he experienced first-
the NDHQ in Ottawa. As a Royal hand the toll that serving can take on
Canadian Legion member at Branch soldiers. “I was living away from my
569 in Long Sault, he has recently family during this posting,” Stephens
taken the position of Branch Service explains. “So, I was in barracks
Officer. with single soldiers. They would
recount some of their experiences
“I started my new position just
before Christmas”, says Stephens. when in Bosnia, and the horrors they
“In January, I contacted the vets witnessed. I was told of several men
experiencing what we now know is
registered in my branch to check in
on them. They felt good knowing PTSD, but most refused to go for
help.” Stephen blames the stigma
someone was out there caring for
them. As Service Officer, one of commonly associated with PTSD for
my duties is to assist veterans with soldiers’ reluctance to come forward.
navigating the paperwork when Stephens has had similar
filing claims with Veteran’s Affairs experiences locally. “While working
Canada to get assistance for whatever in Cornwall, I met another vet who
military-related issues they may told me of a couple experiences
have.” he had while in Bosnia. He often
told me of these demons visiting
With 20 years as an Airframe

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him. He had trouble getting help, online as COVID restrictions ease.
and subsequently was successful at It is open to spouses and partners
suicide.” and children, as they too see and feel
what the vet is going through.”
Enter Operation VetBuild.
“Recently, a vet in Toronto started a Stephens has started a VetBuild
new program supported by the Royal chapter in Long Sault and he managed
Canadian Legion to support those to hold two sessions before the
vets experiencing PTSD or other current restrictions came into effect.
military-related mental health issues. “Despite the closures and subsequent
The program is called Operation lockdown, my door and phone are
VetBuild. The vets come to build always open and available should a
scale model kits in a clinic free veteran need me,” he says.
environment and can speak freely Ken Stephens can be reached at
about whatever topic comes to mind. 613-936-9151. For more information
It is run by vets for vets and has been on upcoming sessions and locations,
quite successful, with 21 chapters please visit the Operation VetBuild
across Canada, and more coming Facebook page.