Event organizer Rick Burnett, with a poem written by his father, Emile  Burnett, a Second World War veteran who passed away in 2013. (file photo/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Wounded Warriors

M.L. “Journey to Wellness” seminar to feature heroic guest speaker

Apr 20, 2023 | 3:58 PM

The Wounded Warriors Weekend Foundation and the Meadow Lake Fire Department plan to hold an all-day seminar in Meadow Lake that will feature now retired California Highway Patrol Sergeant Kevin Briggs- an officer who spent 20 years helping save more than 200 people who were suicidal people on the Golden Gate Bridge in his work.

The “Journey to Wellness” seminar will be held at the Meadow Lake Civic Centre from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23. Lunch is provided with admission.

The day will include two performers from Flying Dust First Nation, and six keynote speakers.

Rick Burnett, a director with the Wounded Warriors Weekend Foundation and a captain on the Meadow Lake fire department, is involved in organizing the event.

“If [people] want to hear some great, inspirational talk from our speakers, it would be wonderful if they would attend,” Burnett said.

Made in Saskatchewan

Find My Plus One: The Canadian App for Getting Out and Living Your Best Life

Mar 09, 2026

Riderville

Ask Not for Whom the Ed Hervey Tampering Window Opens!

Feb 02, 2026

Seniors Scene

New Year - New Habits

Feb 02, 2026

Burnett’s father, Emile Burnett, was a Second World War veteran, so the importance of honouring and supporting the nation’s veterans is close to his heart.

“Since he [my father] passed away in 2013, I started working with Wounded Warriors,” he said. “I made a donation in memory of my dad.”

Among the highlights of the upcoming seminar, Briggs, known as the Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, will share his story.

Burnett said Briggs is an inspirational mental health and suicide prevention speaker with over 20 years experience of crisis management and suicide prevention.

Kevin Berthia, a suicide survivor – the young man Briggs saved in 2005, will also speak. Today Berthia is a suicide prevention advocate.

“This will be the first time that they will be speaking together at a seminar in Canada,” Burnett said. “On one fateful day [in 2005], Briggs spotted Berthia on the Golden Gate Bridge attempting to commit suicide. He talked to Berthia for 92 minutes to save his life.”

Now Briggs and Berthia give presentations to various veterans’ groups, police officers and first responders’ groups on mental health and suicide prevention.

“It’s going to be very exciting to have the two [Briggs and Berthia] here,” Burnett said.

He added it will also be interesting to hear the other guest speakers as well.

Most of the speakers have been dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues. Burnett said they will share their mental health journey to wellness.

The Wounded Warriors group also holds the Wounded Warriors Weekend event each year to help veterans and first responders dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

“The biggest thing about this is having a comfort zone, and meeting others who are needing [someone] to talk to,” Burnett said.

For the upcoming May seminar in Meadow Lake, people can purchase a ticket to attend by contacting Burnett at 306-240-7530, or in person at the Meadow Lake Co-op Administration Office front desk, across from the Co-op Food Store.

–

angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @meadowlakeNOW