Last week鈥檚 successful arrival at the South Pole, in which Prince Harry was a participant, started out as a race, but organizers dropped the competitive aspect as it was putting undue strain on those involved. That鈥檚 just as well 鈥� all those who took part on behalf of wounded veterans were winners.
Teams representing Britain, other Commonwealthcountries and the United States, including 12 men and women wounded in battle, took part in the three-week Walking With the Wounded charity trek. When dangerous weather delayed the journey, the teams came together as a group to achieve their goal.
Among the trekkers were two Canadians, Master Cpl. Chris Downey of Cold Lake, Alta., and Cpl. Alexander Beaudin d鈥橝njou of Valcartier, Que. Both were injured by bombs in Afghanistan and struggled to recover physically and mentally.
The trek was created to help injured and sick soldiers find careers outside of the military and raise awareness of the challenges they face. Downey was wounded in Afghanistan in 2010 after an improvised explosive device detonated near him while on foot patrol. He lost his right eye and suffered serious wounds and lacerations to his face and body.
Prince Harry brought worldwide attention to the project and teammates said he pulled more than his weight, but the spotlight of celebrity should be used to illuminate the efforts made by those involved in the trek. Then it should be turned on the plight of those whose bodies and lives have been damaged as they did their part in the fight against tyranny.
