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Vet's family irked by delay.

To Dave Paul, it seemed like an ideal addition to a special gift for his Navy veteran father.

Now, months later, he is wondering why such a simple request appears to have fallen into a bureaucratic vacuum.

Paul, who is more commonly in the media as Brockville’s economic development director, was still waiting for answers on why Veterans Affairs Canada is taking so long to respond to a request for a pin and certificate honouring his father’s role in the Second World War.

Paul, who follows with dismay the number of Second World War veterans appearing in the obituary pages, added the delay is particularly vexing given their advanced age.

In November, Paul was putting together a package of wartime mementoes for his father, Bill, to mark his 90th birthday on New Year’s Day.

The elder Paul served in the Navy during the war, stationed at St. John’s, Newfoundland from 1943 to 1945.

His son learned about a Veterans Affairs program involving a tribute lapel pin and certificate given to Second World War veterans, started in 2014 to mark the 75th anniversary of Canada’s engagement in the conflict.

The family felt it would be a special addition to a gift honouring Bill Paul’s service to his country.

Dave Paul also expected a wait time, but the absence of any substantial response surprised him.

“I always thought I’d at least get an answer,” he said.

“But nobody at the other end of the line gave me that kind of respect.”

“It’s like a big vacuum.”

In a letter to Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr dated Jan. 1, his father’s birthday, Paul asks for the minister’s review of the matter, noting he applied online more than six weeks earlier and had spoken to ministry staff at least five times.

While the staffers were courteous and professional,  they did not provide any guarantee the items would arrive on time for his father’s birthday, Paul adds in the letter.

He adds he sought the help of Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MP Gord Brown, who also did not get any response or acknowledgement.

“The only explanation was that due to a change of government Veterans Affairs may not be able to honour this request,” writes Paul, who adds he cannot see why the change from the former Conservative to the current Liberal government might cause such a delay.

“Considering that the number of living veterans represents less than one per cent of our population and that only five per cent are still with us, provides further rationale that our simple request to receive this commemorative offering was poorly executed in the delivery of a very good program by your ministry,” the letter continues.

Paul said he sent that letter both electronically and by regular mail and had yet to receive a response.

Officials at the ministry were looking into the matter on Monday.

Bill Paul was taking the delay in stride when contacted Monday.

He recalled his time working with controlled mines in St. John’s harbour to protect it against enemy submarines.

He was on hand in June, 1945, when a U-190 German submarine surrendered.

“We escorted it into the harbour,” he said.

“We had to leave their crew on to bring it in.”

While he looks forward to getting the recognition from Veterans’ Affairs, the elder Paul is perhaps more eagerly awaiting another special moment in which his son has played a role.

“I’m looking forward to the ship coming,” said Bill Paul, referring to the planned arrival of a Halifax-class frigate during Tall Ships Brockville this September.

http://www.recorder.ca/2016/04/04/vets-family-irked-by-delay

Here is another good battle quote
Who said it? what war?
What wins battles and the war is not following orders but knowing what orders to disobey.

So did Napoleon.

Actually what wins wars is the ability to exploit. Knowing when, Knowing where Knowing how and having the guts to be in the right place at the right time to do it.

Rags, too funny shuddering at the thought. That's why Hitler lost 2/3s of his men at the Russian front. They had inproper supply lines and did not get their troops proper winter dress so most died of frostbite.

In different words, but with the same intent, Sun Tzu.

Tactics dont win wars log does....I shutter at the thought.

Greafoot you are correct Erebus and Terror

Who said Quote tactics don't win wars, logistics do Unquote

I stand corrected!
How old was Fidel Castro When he rolled into Havana on a jeep ollowed by 5000 of his men?

Erebus and Terror?

You are right, they were the first (us) ships to make it across! very good propat, shol have read more and locked less a the picture!

i dissagree georges Amundson did it in 1906 yup it took him 3 years but he still did it.

propat

The first to cross were the US on sept 4th 1957 three US cutters conquer northwespsage REF. new york times 25 sept 1956! The shpis were the SPAR, BRAMBLE and the STORIS Good try everybody

k got it

propat

Heres one in same theme - what are the names of the 2 ships that the GOV has spent so much on to find last year. And have never been discovered and are considered Canada's most elusive historical site.