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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-11-05, Page 5Wednesday, November 5, 2014 • Lucknow Sentinel 5 www.lucknowsentinel.com letters to the editor Legion Dominion Presidents says Government has Failed Veterans Again With Nov. 11 just around the corner, a great deal of focus will once again come upon the sacri- fices of the men and women who gave their lives in the service of Canada Millions of Canadians will pay their respects to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen, along with members of the RCMP, who put their lives on the line to protect us everyday. Yet each day that goes by, the Government of Canada is failing to take up the torch and provide the proper care and benefits for our ill and injured veterans and their families. Almost 40 experts recently gave evidence before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA), laying out in precise detail the situation faced by Canada's veterans. The committee considered this evidence and drafted a series of 14 recommendations. The Committee's report, which was unani- mously supported by all of its members (who rep- resented all political parties), laid out its recom- mendations in a straightforward manner that the government could follow to address ways in which Canada could provide enhanced care for its veterans. And how did the government respond? Here is a quote from the response, "... the government is pleased to indicate that it agrees with the spirit and intent of the vast major- ity of the committee's recommendations. Many of these recommendations involve potentially com- plex changes to some veteran programming. The implications of any potential changes must, therefore, be carefully assessed:' But wait a sec- ond, Government just heard from almost 40 experts; it has 14 recommendations that clearly spell out what needs to be done. What more could possibly need to be assessed? This isn't a new situation. The Government of Canada has been dealing with veterans since the end of the First World War. Certainly the govern- ment wants us to all remember that 2014 marks the 100th armiversary of this conflict But why the government continues to have almost the same issues in looking after ill and injured service personnel after all these years is astonishing. Studies, committee meetings, expert evidence, and countless reports over the years have all spo- ken to the fact there are clearly shortcomings in veterans' care. What is different now is that the government has clear directions to address the major issues that will improve the lives of veterans and their families. Regrettablywhat is the same is the use of government -speak such as, "Given the interde- partmental, fiscal and legal implications of this recommendation, further due diligence is required to address this propose' The Royal Canadian Legion will not idly stand by. Our call to action has gone out and we launched a national letter writing campaign call- ing on the government to take the action needed to implement the recommendations from the ACVA report. We are calling on all Canadians to support this effort and send a letter to their Mem- ber of Parliament right from the Legion's website http://www.legion.ca/ call -for -action -on -the -new -veterans -charter/ There should be no doubt that the adequate care for our injured Veterans and their families is an urgent issue, particularly as we place more mil- itary personnel in harm's way with new military operations Canada is engaging in. The men and women who deal with the shortcomings of the current care and benefits programs offered by the government suffer every day at great personal and financial expense. Their families suffer right along with them. For those who have done so much for our country, it is the very least we can do to "...take up the torch, be yours to hold it high." We must not break faith with those who die. Send the Legion's letter to your MP today and showyou care for all of Canada's ill and injured veterans. lhankyou, on behalf of the more than 300,000 Royal Canadian Legion members across Canada letters to the editor Take the Argument out of ACW Something happened this week that shocked me. I was in another municipality, and met an individual who knew I was a K2 Wind lease- holder, but was obviously unaware I consider many of the anti wind activists my personal friends. This person asked (and this is a direct quote) "Do you think ("names withheld") are responsible for the vandalism (to the K2 Wind project)?" At my surprised look, they added "you know, all those supposedly fine upstanding citi- zens of Ashfield?" I answered a resounding NO, but the question shook me. Is that what everyone thinks? That we people of ACW are responsible for the violence in our community? That we agree it's ok to destroy someone else's property? That we think a politi- cal opinion justifies criminal behaviour? Iso wanted to point my finger at someone and say "You! This is allyour fault! Stop it now!" And then I looked at my hand. Have you ever looked at your hand when you are accusing someone? I invite you to do so now. When your index finger is pointed at someone else - your other 3 fingers are pointing squarely at yourself. Tom Eagles Dominion President The Royal Canadian Legion And that's when it hit me. Who's responsible for the continuing vandalism? I am. You are. We all are. If we do not speak up and condemn van- dalism and violence, we are seen to be silently agreeing with it. It is time to speak up and be heard. If you are part of any organization that has access to either the media or a website/social media - ask your organization to take a public stand against vandalism. If you are a pro wind supporter, go outside and - take down your signs. (If you are an anti wind supporter with signs, I invite you to do the same... but I won't yell it at you!) . The time for discussion about wind energy is past. The K2 Wind project will be decided by the courts - not by Ashfield residents. So let's take the argument out of ACW. Here in ACW, we don't encourage, condone, welcome or accept violence. We are good honest intelligent people who respect the law and each other. Together, we can send that message to everyone. Jennifer Miltenburg Paul Finlay holds a tray of remembrance poppies while Wayne Cranston pins a poppy on Betty Stanley at the Lucknow Legion Poppy Drive on November 1,2014. Lucknow Legion Poppy Drive Valerie Gillies Editor, Lucknow Sentinel It was a bitter wind on November 1, 2014 but that did not stop the members of the Lucknow Legion Branch 309 from hitting the streets for their annual Poppy Drive. Members met at the Legion Hall to collect their trays before heading out into the community at noon. Remembrance Day is fast approaching. Wearing the poppy is one of the signs of respect we can display for those who have given their lives in wartime. As stated on the Legion Newsletter, "the Legion does not 'sell' poppies; rather, poppies are given to anyone who wishes to wear one. Donations are appreciated but not required." This year, 2014, marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. British author and social commen- tator H. G. Wells dubbed it "the war to end wars", a phrase often associated with U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, a sentiment we know to have been an opti- mistic one. Royal Canadian Legion branches across the nation are gearing up for the Remembrance Day ceremo- nies. If you wish to attend a Bernadette Smith purchases her poppy from Mitch Helm on Campbell Street in Lucknow on November 1,2014 as Legion members took to the streets with their campaign. service, the will be one held at Lucknow Central Public School on November 10 at 9 a.m. and another at Brook- side Public School at 10:05 p.m. On Remembrance Day, November 11 members will meet at the Lucknow Legion to parade to the Anglican Church for the 10 a.m. ser- vice, after which all will gather at the Cenotaph for 2 minutes of silence and wreath laying at 11 a.m.