Two-month tour honours veterans and first responders

The Tour of Honour arrived in Kamloops on April 19 to promote awareness and raise money for two of its programs — Honour House and Honour Ranch — for first responders and Canadian military members suffering illnesses and injuries.

Arriving at Kamloops Legion in a donated Humvee and trailer, the Tour of Honour brought a message of healing and wellness to the River City.

The two-month B.C.and Yukon tour is a grassroots effort to bring attention to illnesses and injuries that face those who put on a uniform, to keep communities safe — first responders, veterans, police and members of the Canadian military.

Having begun in Chilliwack on April 3, the tour is visiting communities to get the word out before wrapping up in the Lower Mainland on June 10.

“If every first responder and Canadian Armed Forces member, past or present, was aware that this is available to their families and themselves, our main goal is accomplished with our Tour of Honour,” volunteer Justin De Genova said.

As well, $500,000 is the fundraising goal for both Honour House and Honour Ranch, money that would help build 10 additional cabins at the latter location.

Honour House is located in New Westminster, offering a safe haven for Canadian Armed Forces, veterans, emergency services personnel and their families who are battling illness or debilitating operational stress injuries.

The 12,000-square-foot home offers 11 bedrooms, each with a private washroom. The home is fully accessible with an elevator.

De Genova said first responders or military veterans, active or retired, who are seeking medical treatment in the Lower Mainland can stay at Honour House.

“We house families there and we provide support programs out of the Honour House,” De Genova said.

Honour Ranch, which is a 48-hectare (120-acre) ranch near Ashcroft, opened in 2019 and provides 10 private cabins and a family-style lodge in a serene retreat setting.

“We have some mental-wellness programs that we run there, so it’s more catered to Afghan veterans with PTSD or first responders, which have suffered some physical or mental trauma and who need some time to heal,” De Genova said.

The private, secluded property is offered free of charge and clients can stay as long as is needed.

“It could be anywhere from one to 100-plus days,” De Genova said.

At the ranch, supportive, research-based programming is offered by mental-health experts and other specialists.

For more about the Honour House Society, go online to, honourhouse.ca.

To make a donation go online to admin@honourhouse.ca.