Noteworthy: Jeremy Dobson

A Hello Oxford series on the movers and shakers, sometimes loud but often quiet, who contribute to our community. If you think someone in our community deserves to be recognized, drop us a line at info@hellooxford.ca

On April 8, 2007, five members of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment and a reservist with the Princess Louise Fusiliers struck a roadside bomb, an “improvised explosive device” (IED) in Afghanistan, and were killed. Arriving on the scene shortly after, a young man from Oxford, Jeremy Dobson, endeavoured to prevent others from witnessing the aftermath of that incident. It was a day that lives on in his memory.

Jeremy Dobson is not looking to be in the spotlight, but because of the person he is and the efforts he has made in the community, both local and regional, he deserves recognition.

Jeremy graduated from ORHS — the old one — in 2004. An army cadet during his time in Oxford, he eventually joined the Springhill Ground Search and Rescue, where his father, Randy, and grandfather were members. These men passed onto Jeremy the trait of helping others.

In 2004, Jeremy signed up to become a member of the Royal Canadian Regiment and moved to Gagetown. He shipped out to Afghanistan in 2007. Over the 13 years that Canadians participated in an international coalition in Afghanistan, 158 soldiers and 7 civilians perished there, but many others faced injuries, both mental and physical. In 2007, it was Jeremy’s turn. Near the end of his tour, Jeremy had serious fall that led to a back injury. These events were the catalyst leading to who Jeremy has become.

After his injury, Jeremy could have been sent back to Canada immediately, or he could stay at Kandahar Airfield to finish the tour. He stayed. Upon returning to Canada, he began receiving direct medical support. In 2010, Jeremy had a first back operation and began to heal. His recovery period put him in contact with professionals who were helping soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and physical wounds. Jeremy began doing ambulatory care while healing from the first surgery and then became interested in suicide awareness and peer support. He knew that among former combat personnel, there is a lot of suicide and PTSD.

He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother

“From my own experience of healing, I learned that I could help others try to heal as well,” explained Jeremy. His kind eyes and soft-spoken voice camouflage a pain that he has lived with since that time, but Jeremy chooses his words carefully, evidence of training he has received and exposure to specialized staff with whom he has spent time.

The tall, red-bearded man eventually went back to service and began working at CFB Greenwood, Canada’s largest operational air force base in the Atlantic region. He trained and integrated as an equipment operator. At that time, the air force did not seem “to understand the ex-combat guys who had been in Afghanistan. They didn’t understand why so many of them had mental health problems.” Jeremy knew that those men had suffered, but his offer to help was turned down because he was not a professional. One year later though, the Air Force brought in a new Canada-wide sentinel program and Jeremy accessed courses in addiction treatment and began helping those affected by drug, gambling, cannabis, and alcohol problems. He moved on to counselling through mental health and suicide awareness courses and was able to work as a liaison to the “padres” who offered religious support. In many ways, Jeremy became a front-line worker whose colleagues did not hesitate to contact in times of need.

Following two more back surgeries, Jeremy retired and moved back to Oxford in 2020. That does not mean that he has stopped helping others. He joined the Legion in 2022 and with a brother-in-arms, Justin McKay, Jeremy participated in fundraising, media activities, and served as a political liaison for the Afghanistan memorial in Amherst. Meanwhile, Jeff Casey, another member of the Oxford Legion, started up a coffee group in Amherst to help former service members suffering from PTSD. When attendance in the Amherst group dwindled, Jeff and Jeremy each with their own skill set, joined forces and brought the group to Oxford, a more central location for people all over the county.

A unique coffee klatsch

Since that time, Jeremy and Jeff have continued to open the doors of the Oxford Legion on the second Wednesday night of every month between 7 and 9. This drop-in center serves veterans, firefighters, paramedics, and RCMP officers. While no one is forced to talk, they can share their stories over a cup of coffee and reach out for more help and resources as needed. Having a knowledgeable person who can lend an ear or guide veterans and first responders with mental health concerns to the proper services is more than beneficial to the community. While the turnout has been mainly male, two women have also come forward.

Jeremy has since become the president of the Oxford Legion as well as deputy zone commander and spends his time working on increasing membership and tackling administrative duties. It is no small task. In Cumberland County alone, the number of veterans who saw time in Afghanistan number is in the low 100s. How many of those ex-military are reliving those days? Yet, there seems to be a certain reticence to join the Legion, which leaves some of the people who could benefit from the resources without support.

Community

Coming back to Oxford was bittersweet for Jeremy. It was home, and that sentimental value exists, but things have changed. Remembrance Day, for one thing, is not the same. The army cadets have long since disappeared from the Oxford school, so rather than the traditional parade from the school to the cenotaph, only a few cadets — who now have their training in Springhill — participate. Furthermore, Jeremy would like to see more coordination of activities between different organizations in the community. Doing that would give him the chance to get the word out that he is there to help. Because he is. Because Jeremy’s goal is to provide an outlet: to tell people that they can contact him, that they need not feel embarrassed to admit they are having a tough day.

Ideological change

Jeremy stays busy with his wife and children. Like so many others during the Oxford winters, he can be spotted in that cold, cold rink cheering on the local teams despite his daily pain. But that gives him time to think — think he does. He wishes that things could change for veterans and any first responders who are struggling. Currently, when an employer learns that someone is going through a tough time, that employee is often shifted to a job with lesser responsibilities; but as Jeremy sees it, that only means that the person has too much time to spend in their head, and they feel like they are being punished for admitting their issues. By advocating for change, it may eventually arrive.

Change takes time. When Jeremy Dobson asked, in 2015, if he could help out at CFB Greenwood with ex-combat personnel, he received a “no” for an answer because there was little support to offer. Now, at some military bases, there are full mental health units on site and others offer online resources for members and their families.

I have not met Jeremy Dobson in person other than through the wonders of the internet, but if you see him, shake his hand for me and tell him he is doing important work.

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Song: He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother by the Hollies (YouTube)

To join the Legion: Any veteran, RCMP, relative of the aforementioned, or member of the public who wishes to help is welcome. Oxford Branch #36 (Facebook) Telephone 902-552-3007

Coffee drop-in schedule at Oxford Legion – every second Wednesday of the month from 7-9 pm. Open to Veterans and First Responders

Suicide hotline: Call or text 9-8-8 from anywhere in Canada

Mental Health Resources (military and general public): Mental Health Resources

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Joy Blake is a former Oxford resident with an interest in community life. She now lives in Quebec but heads back to the rivers and shores of Cumberland County throughout the year. She teaches and produces educational films at the Cegep de Granby: Virtual Reality.