Canada’s Warriors

Hello TeenTitan. I appreciated your post. I am a citizen who realizes that the needs of our brave soldiers are not likely going to come from those who are supposed to be responsible for those needs. I'm ashamed for what our country is ignoring. I have offered my training and experience for the relief of post traumatic stress, but the military has not responded. I want to extend this offer of assistance to any individual who needs help sorting out the thoughts and feelings that may be haunting them. I live near Windsor,ON. It is always better to help someone in person. However, if I can be of service to any of the brave men and women who are struggling, it would be my priviledge. I have helped many people to feel better again. If I must resort to help by phone or email then that is available. I can be contacted at stressmaster09@yahoo.ca Thank you, Rick Murphy

The events over the past months with the deaths of returning Veterans and the closure of Veterans Affairs
Offices across Canada questions Canada’s commitment to those who have served and were physically or mental
injured in battle. Canada refers to these Veterans as being disabled; they have challenges which they face every
day but with proper supports these challenges can be overcome.
The Office of Veterans Affairs
The Office of Veterans Affairs has under the direction of the Government diluted the support to returning
soldiers and their families ever since the end of the Second World War and clearly evident with the “New
Veterans Charter.”
 Denial of “Benefits” – the Soldiers must prove their injuries before a panel of non-veterans whose only
service to Canada has been learnt in some text book.
 Lump sum settlements that may meet the needs of the Government to save money; but, only fuel the
frustration and deepen the anger of the struggling veteran.
o Lump Sum Payouts only advocate and absolve Canada’s responsibility to the Veterans and their
families.
The Minister of Veterans Affairs has stated that the Government of Canada’s decision to close local Veterans
Affairs Offices will not affect the services to our Veterans. This is troubling to anyone who has served.
Non-Government Agencies “Their Role”
The Royal Canadian Legion was formed as an advocacy group after WWI but with more and more nonmilitary
affiliation within their Governing Body they have been stripped of their voice when it comes to
Veterans Rights and Advocacy.
Regimental Affiliation is seen by many Veterans seeking help as their support line to fair and equitable
treatment. They served in Battle with their Regiment and have an expectation that the Regiment will stand up
and fight for them once they are injured or in the need of help. But, the Regiment can only support the Veteran
while they are serving.
Regimental Associations are a link and bridge between Service and Civilian Life however, they do not have
the funding or specialized training and skill sets required to assist a Veteran in need. They do know how the
chain of command works and how to advocate for their Veterans.
Family Support Unit is an essential tool in the support to our Veterans and their families. However, again once
the Veteran leaves the Forces that tie to the Family Support Center is gone.
All of these key support elements are in place while the Veteran is still serving but, their support is removed or
diminished on release. It is the Veterans responsibility on release to put in place their own support systems and
far too often it turns out to be abuse and blame. Suicide is a cry for help; how many more Veterans must die
before we hear them and their family’s cries for help.

The Regiment and Association
As we served and marched forward together for Queen and Country to give:
 a voice to those who could not speak
 to fight for those mothers, children and grandparent who were too weak to stand up and fight
 to bring freedom to those oppressed and living in fear
We were brothers; we were family; we cared for each other and watched each other’s back. At what point did
we stop being brothers and family? As a young soldier I was taught that it was my job to fight for that person
next to me, my brother and as an Officer I believed that my Queen and my Country had entrusted the lives of
my brothers to train and care for them on and off any field of conflict at home or abroad.
Today I still believe it is our responsibility as a Regiment and Association to fight and protect our brothers and
their families:
 give a voice to those brothers who cannot speak for themselves
 to fight for their rights and the rights of their families
 to fight for their freedom from oppressive systems that bread fear and hopelessness as they deal with
their injuries physical or mental
In the Year of Our 100th Anniversary
The time has come to stop building monuments to our past and to start building a living legacy for our Veterans
and their families:
 an Advocacy group that will stand up and fight for our Veterans
 lobbyist who will reach out to Medical Specialist to assist Veterans with their challenges
o Medical
o Mental
o Social assistance
 Financial Fundraiser to build a trust fund for Veteran support
 Regimental and Association tracking of Veterans on release
 Association Support Requirements
o Financial and Pension support group (fiscal management)
o Referral support and follow up for Veterans and Family
o Phone Group (a Veterans Help Line)
There is a saying “Once a Patricia Always A Patricia.” Do we mean this or is it just another feel good saying.