Tattooing for a good cause in Calgary

A Canadian military veteran sitting in a tattoo artist’s chair Thursday was the inspiration behind a Remembrance Day fundraiser — a poppy tattoo for a good cause.

Stanley Burns is a Canadian military veteran; he served 22 years as a telecommunications line man.

His service has inspired the tattoos that adorn his arms.

“I did have the opportunity to work in some wonderful places, and some not so wonderful places,” he said. “I did a tour in Golan Heights in between Israel and Syria, a tour in Bosnia and one in Afghanistan, and unbeknownst to me, when I came home I was not the same person.”

Tattoos carry meaning for a lot of people, and the tattoo artist doing the work gets to hear the stories.

When Karli Willms started apprentciing, a lot of her clients were veterans like Burns, and his stories turned into the idea for a fundraiser.

“It wasn’t until him and I started talking about Wounded Warriors Canada, where it really inspired kind of, giving back to the community as they helped me through a very crucial time in my career,” she said.

Wounded Warriors Canada has helped Burns after a PTSD diagnosis. He’s taken important journeys with the organization — twice, he’s rode a bike over 600 kilometres.

“When you get into a crowd of other veterans and people who are there just to support — it’s an incredible feeling to be part of that group — there was 100 of us that first year that went for that ride from Juno Beach to Vimy Ridge,” Burns said.

For the third time, Willms is tattooing poppies on Remembrance Day with 100 per cent of the proceeds — including tips – going towards Wounded Warriors Canada.

This year, six other artists are also taking part.

“It’s amazing, the people that get in, we get all sorts of different ages, different backgrounds, different people, and the stories that they share, it humbles you — a whole new perspective,” Willms said.

Deadly Tattoos is the shop in Calgary.

Patrons can bring cash and walk in starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Capital Tattoo in Edmonton is also participating in the fundraiser.