CEO IG17 Michael Burns (left), Pte (ret’d) Jeff Virgo, Mcpl (ret’d) Andre Giard, Brigadier General Guy Chapdelaine.

Jeff Virgo

As they say, never turn down a new experience or opportunity. This has been the case for me with my involvement in the Invictus Games over the past five years. The Games are the only international adaptive sporting event for ill, wounded, and injured active duty and veteran service members.

Invictus is Latin for “unconquered” which is of great significance as these Games bring hope and motivation to move forward after a hardship. In the summer of 2004 while travelling to Wainwright, Alberta for a training exercise with 3PPCLI, the MLVW truck I was passenger in was involved in a motor vehicle accident. I suffered incomplete spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis. It was a very long recovery process but with support of my unit, friends, and family I re-learned how to walk again, just one of the many things I had to re-teach myself.

The Games have been an amazing experience for me over the past five years. I have enjoyed competing, travelling the world, and meeting lots of interesting people. Recently, I was asked to go over to France with Invictus Games Toronto (IG17), part of education partner with Education First (EF) for an experience of a lifetime.

As a veteran with the Canadian Armed Forces, I competed in the past two games, London 2014 and Orlando 2016. I have now decided to transition into an ambassador role, where I help promote the Games, and talk about my experiences with life after injury. The EF program’s objective is to allow youth to gain a first-hand perspective on Canada’s role in the world through active participation, community connections, honouring our vets and historical perspectives. These are all things that I am passionate about and was ready to bring with me to France.

The team that I was a part of departed Canada and arrived in Brussels, where we then drove to Arras, France, which is two hours north of Paris. Over the next two days, along with close to 15 other education partners, we hosted 9,000 high school students, cadets and educators from communities across Canada. We provided interactive exhibits with adaptive sports events from the Games, including: wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing, and sit volleyball.

It was phenomenal to see the students actively engaged, and to have the chance to talk with so many young Canadians and answer their questions, one of my favourites being, “Aren’t you too young to be a Vet?”

It was rewarding to hear about their plans for the future, while also remembering and discussing the events and people who served in the past that have lead us here, and to witness the positive network Invictus creates.

On the April 9, as part of the IG17 delegation and guest of the Government of Canada, we attended the commemorative ceremony for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. We attended the reception with other members of the military, cabinet ministers, and members of parliament.

I was given the opportunity to meet former Governor Generals of Canada, Michaëlle Jean and Adrienne Clarkson (who is also the Colonel-in-Chief of my unit, the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry).

We then loaded up on buses with a police escort and made our way up to the site, with only one road in and out. As we went through the town of Vimy all you could see were seas of Canadian flags. It gave me chills to witness thousands of people gathered together on this warm, sunny day to remember the battle that killed 3,600 Canadian soldiers.

As we made our way to our seats all you could do was pause, and take in the monument. It was one of the most powerful things I have ever witnessed, and it’s no wonder that it’s the most widely recognized symbol of Canada’s military past. It was a solemn ceremony that resonated with me, and kept making me reflect on how much was given to win this battle, and the significance of this event; for the first time all four Canadian Divisions, fighting together in the First World War.

While leaving the site, I witnessed first-hand how destructive the battle was, as there were large craters all around the area made from artillery shells. After the monument, to end the evening we attended a formal gathering where we stood in U-shaped pods. I had the great pleasure to share a quick hello and talk about my service to His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales, as well Prime Minister Trudeau, and finally finishing up talking to the founder of the games his HRH Prince Harry. Prince Harry and I discussed the previous Games, and the impact and movement of the Games.

As our week came to an end, and we made our way back to Canada, I reflected on the significance of what I had just experienced and witnessed over in France. As this opportunity makes you part of history and thankful for those who came before you in the service of our nation. I leave you with these words:

Appreciation is the act that we owe to those who volunteered and fought for Canada. Respect is the act they deserve and remembrance is that we wouldn’t let time fade away their memory making sure we never forget.

This fall Toronto will be hosting the Games with 17 nations and over 500 competitors, along with 1,000 friends & family. Make sure to see how you can be a part of these magnificent games.

Left, Bill Walker, MPP Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and Jeff Virgo.

EF Expo, sitting volleyball, far right Jeff Virgo.