“Suffering in silence”. That is something that Dan and Wendy Hrechka do not want others to have to go through.
On Friday evening, the married couple were special guests of the Pond Hockey Gala dinner at the Batawa Community Centre. Dan is a retired Army Logistics Sergeant with 27 years serving in Canada’s military. He suffered from PTSD, but did not know for years. He sought the service of Wounded Warriors Canada and they say it changed their life.
Wounded Warriors was one of the two beneficiaries of the funds raised from the gala, and the pond hockey shinny tournament Saturday and Sunday.
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Wendy and Dan Hrechka speaking at the Pond Hockey Gala (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Event organizer Captain Jeff Moorhouse says this year’s gala theme was teamwork.
Former NHLer Laurie Boschman was the final guest speaker of the evening. He says although we can never repay sacrifice by men and women, it is about showing appreciation however we can.
Phil Ralph is the Program Director for Wounded Warriors Canada and says their motto is We’re In This Together.
The Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation was the second organization that benefits from the pond hockey weekend. Executive Director Wendy Warner says the community has stepped up once again.
Veteran Chris Earl performed throughout the evening (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Auctioneer Boyd Sullivan helps to raise thousands of dollars during the living auction (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Former NHLer Laurie Boschman is the guest speaker for the Pond Hockey gala in Batawa (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
