Gary's Trip by Ed Peckham

I wanted to take this opportunity to communicate a story to you about a tremendous, ambitious mission, about to be undertaken by one of Atlantic Canada’s recently retired employees.
His name is Gary Jones. Gary is a 65 year old, thyroid cancer survivor, who retired from R/M Halifax in Jan., 2010. His dream, since receiving a clean bill of health in 1998, was to cycle across Canada, raising money for thyroid cancer research. On May 15th, of this year, Gary will realize the beginning of his dream, as he sets out from Mile Zero in BC to cycle across Canada. Averaging 100 miles per day for 45 days.
During his career, Gary has made a tremendous contribution to the success of Russel Metals Atlantic. For 30 plus years, he rolled his 18 wheels throughout Ontario and Quebec picking up product, and more importantly, he rolled those 18 wheels into our customers’ yard. With his life long motto, “Every day is a holiday” engrained into the very fabric of his personality, Gary was an ambassador for Russel Metals throughout his entire career. Now he has traded his 18 wheels in for two and will once again put the pedal to the metal. As Gary so enthusiastically said to me, “instead of hauling metal, I’m hauling hope, faith and attitude”
In an effort to repay Gary, in some small way, for all of the qualitative contributions he has made to Russel Metals Atlantic, we have sponsored his dream. So, you may see him cycle proudly by, in his Russel Metals jersey and a smile on his face. Or, you may get to meet him personally at 1 of the 10 R/M facilities he will be visiting, as he cycles across the country.
Should anyone wish to accommodate Gary for a night, his daughter Christina at christina.cameron@ns.sympatico.ca

And now a few more words about Gary.
He is excited and ready to roll. Equipped with his laser cut butterfly logos ( which represents thyroid cancer) attached to each side of his bike, Gary is confident about his journey. As you can see by his schedule, his personal accommodations were his last concern. He is humbled and excited about the invitation of filling in the blanks day 2 through to 44. One meal, one shower, and eight (8) hours of sleep. Day 8, 17, and 31 are already arranged.
“It is important to have joy and everyday is a holiday”