Invictus Games were 'one of the best things' this flag-bearer ever experienced

It's been a long time since Junior Gosse joined the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in Corner Brook as a young infantryman in the reserves, but he's never forgotten his roots.

His years of service with the Canadian Forces culminated in a proud moment in April as the retired soldier was flag-bearer for Canada at the Invictus Games in the Netherlands.

Gosse, originally from the town of Massey Drive, recently returned from competing in the international athletic competition for serving and retired soldiers who are wounded, injured or sick.

"The thing about competing in these Games is that it's not about winning. Just being there and being part of it is what counts," said Gosse. "Every time there was an event that finished, there was a presentation of gold, silver, and bronze medals. And that was the last thing you heard about it. So there was no counts, no scoreboards."

Gosse's military career took him to postings throughout Canada and to Iran and Somalia. Notably, in November 1979, Gosse was one of the military police officers on security detail at the Canadian embassy in the Iranian capital of Tehran who assisted with the rescue of six diplomats during the hostage crisis at the U.S. embassy in Iran.

Gosse, now 66, said his 28-year career in the Canadian Forces left him with post-traumatic stress disorder and other injuries sustained while serving in the military that, although not visible, he has had to live with through the years.

"Before I started this, I was struggling. I required medical intervention for my physical and mental health," said Gosse.

"The Invictus Games are there for you to become involved in sport and help you in your recovery. And it certainly did that, and far exceeded my expectations of what it could do