Sikh veteran touring Calgary's military landmarks via cycle to mark Remembrance Day

A veteran who served in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army is taking to Calgary's pathways this Remembrance Day to raise money and awareness for veterans' charities.

Tegh Singh, an active cyclist, is raising money for the Field of Crosses and the Veterans Transition Network as part of a project with Bike Calgary.

Singh, a former U.S. Army sergeant from California, now calls Calgary home. He served in the military for six years, joining at 18 years old.

He served in the 3rd Battalion 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment. His unit saw heavy combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The bike ride was originally planned as a larger group ride, but rising COVID-19 numbers means Singh will take to the pathways alone, wearing his medals as he rides his bike in wintry conditions.

Singh says he has suffered from PTSD and is still only now opening up about his time in combat and the long-term impacts of active service.

"This year marks 10 years since I got back from Afghanistan — 2018 was the first time I started speaking about it. I get to do this to honour my former comrades, some of whom did not come back from deployment," said Singh.

"I also get to honour people I served with whose lives have been changed dramatically by occupational stress injuries and the physical stress that goes into what we did as combat infantry," he said.

Singh says that as time goes by, he wants to talk more about his service and the challenges of transitioning to civilian life.

"I was at the Military Museums previously on Remembrance Day and I met another U.S. veteran. We had this really intimate moment, exchanging stories, and I realized then there's nobody passing the torch," said Singh.

"When I think of everything I've been through, my journey with PTSD, and I think of my counterparts in the U.S. and Canadian military that have had a really rough go of things, there's so much knowledge and wisdom and such a huge opportunity for future generations to learn from what we've been through," he said.

Singh says he also wants to raise awareness about the impact on military families.

"Families play a monumental role. Every veteran is supported by someone outside the military. My wife has been a huge support. So many army wives have, and they don't get any recognition for that around this time of year," said Singh.

The Veterans Transition Network is a national charity helping veterans reconnect with families, communities and careers and transition to post-service life.

The Field of Crosses Memorial Project along Memorial Drive pays tribute to veterans with 3,500 crosses that run alongside the road. Sunrise ceremonies are held daily every November, taking place up until Remembrance Day.

"I want my daughter to have something to look back on and be able to talk about her father and my battle brothers out there who are now like her uncles. It's really special to me and my family," said Singh.

"I want to encourage people to support veterans in ways that most resonate with them, whether that's going to the museums or donating to local charities," he said. "I want to encourage people to give back in whatever way they can," he said.

Singh will make stops at: The Military Museums and CFB Currie, Battalion Park, Calgary Soldiers' Memorial, Poppy Plaza, native trees plantation memorial, Field of Crosses, Elite Brewing, Fort Calgary and The Hanger Flight Museum.

He will post his Remembrance Day ride with video updates on Twitter @TeghSinghCA