‘Buddy check’ coffee group helping veterans at Redcliff Legion

The support group’s coordinator Bill Fardy said the program is partly a social meetup, but is also there to help those with operational stress injuries.

“Some people have a tendency at retirement age to sit home, watch TV, not really get involved in anything, and it’s good for everyone. You come out every week, people come up and they socialize,” Fardy told CHAT News.

“I have resources available to me if they need it, require it, or want it. I have resources, I have sources that I can refer them to.”

Fardy, who is a service officer at the legion, said they have a connection to supports through Medicine Hat’s Veiner Centre and the Military Family Resource Centre in Suffield.

The group has grown from about two members when it started to about 10 regulars attending weekly.

The group aims to help veterans talk with others who have served and have a deeper understanding of those experiences.

Fardy said you don’t need to be a legion member to participate.

“You have to be a veteran, a veteran under the charter, which is military and RCMP, which includes military reserve people as well,” Fardy said.

“As long as they’ve completed basic training and been honorably released, honorably discharged, they’ve completed basic training, you’re welcome.”

The group meets between noon and 2 p.m. each Friday, and a veteran can join the group at any time over the two-hour period.

by Jesse Gill

‘Buddy check’ coffee group helping veterans at Redcliff Legion

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