'Wounded warriors' arrive in Saskatchewan

Some 114 injured ex-soldiers from around Canada and the U.S. have arrived in Saskatchewan for a "Wounded Warrior" weekend.

Bagpipes, military and police officers, and cheering onlookers waving flags welcomed dozens of them to the Saskatoon airport yesterday.

Some arrived with seeing eye dogs and wheelchairs; others arrived with scars that can't be seen.

"It's been very, very moving,'  said one of the organizers, Blake Emons of White Fox, Sask. "At the airport, many people turned out. I teared up."

The weekend will include a banquet, a motorcade, musical entertainment, a Riders game, golfing and lots of fishing.

"We've got the greatest fishing in the world," Emons said.

Money for the weekend comes from number of organizations and corporations. Dozens of volunteers have lined up to help.

"How do you say thank you for these people who have supported us and stepped up?" Emons asked.

Emons, a Canadian who served with the U.S. forces in Vietnam in the 1960s, said he hopes the event brings more attention to the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Annually, we remember people who died serving their country, but what about those who were physically injured or suffered stress-related injuries? he asks.

"It's something we as Canadians need to address," he said. "The more we can talk about it, the better it is. I know from this weekend, two or three or maybe all will walk away and say, 'It's OK to be me.'"