Ken MacKay starts 800-km Trek 4 Vets solo walk on April 26

By Care Lucas

IN 1978, Ken MacKay, a lifetime resident of Port Dover, joined the Canadian military. At the time, he wanted to escape the small-town lifestyle and hoped to see the world.

“My family has a long history in the military and I was bored,” he said. As it turned out, Mr. MacKay would spend the 12 years he served stationed in Canada, something he is now grateful for. “I didn’t go to any combat zones.”

But Mr. MacKay built relationships with other veterans and soon realized they weren’t all so lucky. Many of them suffered PTSD and were struggling with addiction and trauma because of the sacrifices they made.

“The ones who did go overseas and were in combat or have seen horrible things. They’re affected. [Some of them are] living on the streets, and I don’t think our government is doing enough to help them,” Mr. MacKay said. “They sacrificed a lot and some of them are being forgotten.”

It’s estimated that almost 10,000 veterans in Canada are unhoused. But some fear the number could be higher as many who are couch-surfing or living without a permanent residence may be unaccounted for.

“It’s the military pride. They don’t want to ask for help. That’s why they can’t get a concrete number on how many are out there.”

These realizations inspired Mr. MacKay to organize the Trek 4 Vets, an 800-kilometre solo walk to raise money for the Homes for Heroes Foundation.

The foundation funds tiny home villages for unhoused veterans. These communities provide supportive housing, and access to community services to help get their residents back on their feet.
“It’s not just giving them a shelter. There is counseling to help them reintegrate into society,” Mr. MacKay said.

Those who participate in the program must demonstrate they are invested and must be free of drugs and alcohol. “The [vetrans] have to make a commitment and [the Homes for Heroes Foundation] will make a commitment to them,” he said.

Gary Cunningham, Sergeant-at-Arms with Delhi Legion, joined Ken MacKay, Port Dover Legion poppy chair Jay MacDonald, and Port Dover Sergeant-at-Arms Jim Pilkington at the Send-Off Party Sunday afternoon as Mr. MacKay prepared for his 800-kilometre walk from Windsor to Ottawa to raise funds and awareness for homeless veterans. Photo: Earl Hartlen.

The 65-year-old will begin his trek on April 26 in Windsor, walking along town roads north of Hwy. 401 as he makes his way to Ottawa.

Local Legions will offer accommodations along the way so Mr. MacKay can get a good night’s sleep. He expects the journey will take roughly 45 days, with an occasional day off to rest and refuel.

The funds raised will go towards the Homes for Heroes Foundation’s latest endeavor—a village they are constructing in London, Ontario.

“They’ve got land donated. Fanshawe College is supporting them. There’s a Veterans Hospital—they’re supporting them. And I think the City of London is really backing them too,” he said.

Mr. MacKay is no stranger to long treks, but he admits this will be the longest walk he’s ever attempted. At this time of year, the weather is unpredictable. Walking solo will be no easy feat. But Mr. MacKay is passionate about the cause.

He’s already raised more than $8,000 and has set his sights on raising $50,000 or more. He believes the Homes for Heroes Foundation has a tangible impact. “Veterans when they’re all together—they can relate to each other,” he said. “They’ve seen things that we have not seen.”

Anyone wishing to donate towards Mr. MacKay’s cause can do so at https://h4hfevents.crowdchange.ca/92701