Two years ago, Graeme Hafey found out he had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A Canadian Armed Forces veteran, who was part of the Royal Canadian Navy as well as the Royal Canadian Air Force, Hafey said he was trained to keep a level-head and calm demeanour.

B次元官网网址淚t was only two years ago that I realized I had PTSD, and it made sense,B次元官网网址� Hafey said. B次元官网网址淚 had nightmares and cold sweats B次元官网网址� I went to the point where I couldnB次元官网网址檛 handle my stress.B次元官网网址�

Hafey started off as a bridge officer in the navy because his dad was in it but he said he always wanted to fly. He went back to school to take prerequisites for the air force and in 1993, earned his wings.

Hafey flew search and rescue missions and then left the military, taking some time to work in commercial flying and truck driving for a while. But he missed the adventure and camaraderie so quickly went back to the navy where he had the opportunity to fly a Sea King for about 1,200 hours.

B次元官网网址淚t was challenging but rewarding to fly,B次元官网网址� Hafey said.

Shortly after 9/11, Hafey went to the Middle East and was in areas such as Iran, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

B次元官网网址淲e flew a machine gun, armed ourselves and searched for people smuggling arms and bad guys,B次元官网网址� Hafey said. B次元官网网址淚t was quite rewarding working with the coalition force.B次元官网网址�

But pilots need to be even-keeled, he said. They need to be able to keep calm under high-stress situations. When Hafey wasnB次元官网网址檛 able to do that anymore, he became a policy advisor to the commanding officer.

Now, as a veteran, Hafey said he is B次元官网网址渋ntent on serving againB次元官网网址� to help his brothers and sisters in arms have a better quality of life.B次元官网网址�

Hafey is now the owner of V2V Black Hops Brewing, a veteran-run, non-profit with a mission to support PTSD and therapy programs for military and first responder veterans. The company currently sells two types of beer B次元官网网址� an English-style bitter ale called Victory Ale dedicated to the army and a blonde ale dedicated to the navy called The Brig.

Hafey and one of his dedicated volunteers who is a first responder himself B次元官网网址� Jason Stewart B次元官网网址� said they are working on two more beers that will eventually join the group as well. One will be dedicated to the Air Force and another for first responders.

The beer can be found in local retail liquor stores as well as in local pubs on tap. Proceeds go towards Cockrell House, a homeless veteranB次元官网网址檚 shelter in Colwood; Can Praxis, an Alberta equine therapy organization for military and first responder veterans coping with PTSD and mental health issues; and Camp My Way, a wilderness therapy program for combat veterans, first responders and their families who have been affected by PTSD.

With the 75th anniversary of D-Day taking place this year, Hafey reflected on the tremendous respect he has for the many people who fought in the Second World War.

B次元官网网址淧eople donB次元官网网址檛 realize until theyB次元官网网址檝e actually served what it takes B次元官网网址� the challenges and danger you face B次元官网网址� and you signed up for that,B次元官网网址� Hafey said. B次元官网网址淭here were so many people in that operation and so many people who were lost B次元官网网址� those people are the true heroes.B次元官网网址�

Hafey hopes to take his children to the beaches in Normandy one day as well as Vimy Ridge so they can have an understanding of what it was like.

But until then, heB次元官网网址檚 going to continue brewing beer in Victoria, with a goal to make sure no one is left behind.

shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com