One of the first things Sam Cullimore remembers seeing on television was the 9/11 terrorism attack in 2001 on the United States.
At the age of just four, Cullimore didn’t understand what was happening.
This year, 23 years later, Cullimore of Ashburton happened to be in America on the anniversary of the attack.
He was joining Operation Southwestern Spirit, for military, emergency and law enforcement veterans who thrive in off-road, rugged environments.
He was there as a trustee of Pilgrim Bandits New Zealand, alongside a fellow Pilgrim Bandit, Michael Henry of Rolleston. Pilgrim Bandits helps injured veterans, and emergency services personnel in their journey of recovery and rehabilitation.
Cullimore joined Pilgrim Bandits in 2019 after attending a fundraiser for them. In July 2022 he suffered a seizure.
He was unable to drive for seven months, so had to step back from front-line volunteering with the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade and Methven Land Search and Rescue.
Operation Southwestern Spirit comprised a 12-day off-road adventure.
It took the group of about 30 into New Mexico and Colorado in a convey of vehicles.
The days consisted off-road trailing in the mountains, visits to historical and natural sites, and a healthy dose of competitions ranging from fire lighting to playing cornhole.
While all those on the trip inspired Cullimore, Ben Parkinson, an Afghanistan war veteran who at 22-years-old had both his legs blown off above the knee, was remarkable.
‘‘He took part in the activities alongside us, in a wheelchair with caterpillar tracks instead of wheels. On September 12 we celebrated his 18th ‘alive day’, the date his mates saved his life.’’
On 9/11 the group took time to remember the horrific events of that day when Islamist terrorist suicide attacks killed thousands in America.
For some of the group it held very real and at times painful memories, of being involved in the rescues, losing comrades, friends and family.
For others, it was the events of that day that had inspired them to join the military or emergency services.
As the flames of campfires in the evenings flickered and lit up the sky, participants shared stories of their service and the physical and mental injuries they had suffered and now live with.
‘‘The way each person responds to disasters gave us all insight into how we can respond to future emergencies,’’ Cullimore said.
He returned with a lot of gear to use on future adventures with Pilgrim Bandits.
‘‘In 2026, Pilgrim Bandits New Zealand hope to host about 20 United States and British military and first responders for a 10 to 12 day adventure in New Zealand, and reciprocate the gift of gear,’’ he said.
‘‘It was a great time. I brought back so much to share with my fellow Pilgrim Bandit members.’’
