Lorne, Nova Scotia
Sergeant (Retired) Tyson Bowen was nominated for his role as founder and president of the Real Canadian Recreation Society (RCR), a Veteran-run registered nonprofit.
The RCR is an up-and-coming eco-adventure park that was established to help Veterans heal through nature. Sgt Bowen completed two tours of duty to Afghanistan which resulted in his medical release in 2018 after 15 years of service. As he underwent his own treatment for his PTSD, he recognized that more could be done for Veterans regarding PTSD treatments and peer support. He established the RCR to facilitate further rehabilitation and to build life skills for Veterans on the road to mental and physical recovery. He hoped that others would use the RCR and that it will helped them heal, feel calm, relaxed and mitigate their struggles with mental health.
Since June 2019, Sgt Bowen had been working tirelessly as part of his treatment to turn the former dairy farm into a haven for suffering Veterans. Transforming the farm into the RCR was a big undertaking, but he had made a great deal of progress to date. He worked closely with the local community, developed partnerships and raised funds for the RCR. Many Veterans have come to RCR in small groups to help with construction and had a target for completion and full operation by 2022. Sgt Bowen passed away in September 2022 at the age of 35.