Expedition – Derron Bain civilian participant interview
True Patriot Love’s expeditions are an intense amalgam of physical challenge, emotional growth, mentorship, and support for military members and Veterans – all set against some of the most stunning landscapes on earth.
Derron Bain took part in the True Patriot Love Foundation expedition to Montana and Italy in tribute to the joint Canada/US First Special Service Force (FSSF) formed in World War II – the renowned Devil’s Brigade. The expedition retraced the training undertaken by the FSSF in the wilds of Montana that prepared them for their mission to take Monte la Difensa and other battle success in Italy.
The first stage of the expedition was in October 2023 and followed the footsteps of the Devil’s Brigade in their training on the Continental Divide Trail near Helena, Montana, from Macdonald Pass to Stemple Pass. It was a 74 kilometre trek over four days and three nights, alongside both Veterans and serving members of Canada’s Special Operations Forces, as well as a small group of corporate leaders like Derron.
In June 2024, alongside Canadian Special Forces Veterans, business leaders and volunteers they embarked on the second stage: following the path of the Devil’s Brigade assault on Monte la Difensa, the gateway to the Liri Valley and Rome, and a critical battle in the Italian theatre. The cumulative cost was high: always a small force, by the end over 2,400 members of the FSSF were wounded and 500 lost their lives.
Following the True Patriot Love expedition in Italy, I took personal time to walk in the footsteps of my grandfather, a soldier of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) participating in the invasion of Sicily, the Battle of the Moro and Battle of Ortona. I also attended the gravesite of a great uncle, also a member of the PPCLI, resting in the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery alongside 1,374 fellow soldiers from Canada. Understanding, honouring, remembering our Veterans is an important part of commemoration.
With help from his network of generous donors, Derron raised over $45,000 in support of the True Patriot Love. Derron spoke to True Patriot Love about the personal impact of the expedition and why the second stage of the tour on Monte la Difensa was “like getting the band back together.”
What memory from your expedition stands out for you?
It was the experience of inspiration and introspection: the sense of freedom, the stunning vistas, the kinship. There was raw emotion in the experience, difficult for some people, but there was safe space created for that. You leave the experience with great friendships. Some of the friendships I made there are as strong and meaningful as the friendships I’ve had for 30 years.
Even the weather impacted the strength of the bonds: when your guide suggests that the weather is going to be a “dry” 15 degrees but it’s closer to zero with rain, sleet, snow and gale force wind, that brings you together. You see that in the military experience: tough, arduous, challenging conditions build a strong team.
What did your expedition mean to you?
I found myself in a unique space – I’m a Royal Military College grad and I served for five years as a Maritime Warfare Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, and of course I also came to the experience representing corporate Canada. The one thing I would want to highlight is that this expedition was first and foremost about Veterans, not about corporate Canada. Fundamentally you have to come to the table honouring the service and experience of the Veterans. The great thing about the expedition experience is that it allowed unique space to develop deep relationships, to have conversation, and to build understanding. It’s a testament to the deep bonds that the expedition built that being in Italy for the second stage was like “getting the band back together.”
What advice would you give someone embarking on their first expedition?
I can imagine some people might come to this experience and ask the wrong questions. Veterans and serving members have had heavy experiences and if you can lead with that, it can go wrong quickly. Build trust, understanding, respect and connection. Let them share as they are comfortable. Support them.
To prepare and train for the physical aspect of an expedition, my recommendation would be to get on your feet and get weight on your back. Fourteen kilometres per day with 40 to 50 pounds on your back, with variable elevation, is significant. Over the course of 14 kilometres each day of the expedition, you ebb and flow in terms of your energy and strength. Jeremy Blair and the Off Trail Odysseys guide team were thoughtful about planning the training. The support and the program are there to prepare you to have a positive experience. The military and Veteran experience is one of teamwork and they were always alongside to help get you through that challenging part of the trek with encouragement and support.
What did you learn from the Veterans and Forces members?
There’s the always a need to consider and define purpose: what is my purpose today; what is it when my career is no longer there? There’s a quote I love from Tribe by Sebastian Junger on the Veteran experience but it’s also more broadly applicable: “Humans don’t mind hardship – what they mind is not feeling necessary.”
As a businessperson, it was also about a kind of focused experience in lessons of leadership and citizenship. So much is gained talking to people and understanding those who served our country. The quality of the people, values, character, commitment to a level of performance – it’s just a great lesson or example. Somewhat surprisingly given my background and understanding of the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans, I was also shocked and taken aback in gaining a deeper understanding of the impact of the intensity of special forces service on spouses and children. I didn’t quite realize or appreciate this myself.
What do you think they learned from you?
With all honesty, I feel like I received more from the mentorship experience than I gave to my partner. I think I was able to provide respect, a trusting space, appreciation and support, with the message of conviction that “Our country, and Canadians do care and the service of our Veterans and what they did is important.”
The values that go with that Veteran experience are what I try to live by and what I try to build up: service, sacrifice, duty, honour, courage, integrity, personal responsibility. At the end of the day, they’re the building blocks of strong character and leadership. The Veterans that were part of this expedition represent the best of Canadian values, the pride, and the integrity that we need more of in the country and in our communities.
Derron Bain is CEO of Concert Infrastructure, a Canadian pension equity fund which partners with governments to deliver critical public infrastructure assets that support essential public services.