Mercy Now Foundation offers free outdoor trips to veterans

In Randy Forbes mind, home soil has been more dangerous for Canadian soldiers than Afghanistan,

Too many soldiers have died by suicide after returning home, Forbes said, and he wantedto do something about it.

The singer/songwriter from Sault Ste. Marie has started a non-profit organization called the Mercy Now Foundation to help send military veterans and their families on outdoor excursions.

The idea came to him when he was on a fly-in fishing trip, said Forbes, whose step son served in Afghanistan.

"We are helping any soldier or military whohas everserved because they all have memories that they have to deal with," Forbessaid.

"A fly-in trip especially, you go on a three day trip and you feel like you've been gone for three months."

The Mercy Now campaignis raising money for the outdoor retreatsthrough donations on the organization's website and throughthe sale of Forbes'music.