Feds still cheat our veterans
Dear editor: It was good to see the Remembrance Day tributes to our war dead and veterans, past and present. Every day is Remembrance Day for many veterans and their families.
Warm words are appreciated, but deeds matter. Now we’re hearing about the government shortchanging 270,000 veterans on their benefits while funds in Veterans Affairs budgets remain unspent. It’s disturbing that veterans, who once proudly wore the uniform, are over-represented in the ranks of the homeless.
We see disabled veterans compelled to take the government to court over benefits while Justin Trudeau says, “They are asking for more than we can give.” That takes a certain level of something, and it sure isn’t wisdom or compassion. Too bad he wasn’t as restrained with spending in other areas.
And what about the empty promises in 2015 to restore lifetime disability pensions and provide free university for veterans?
Veterans never questioned if the government was asking too much when they were sent to participate in conflicts in Europe, Korea, the Middle East and Afghanistan. Veterans of all eras share an unlimited commitment to make any sacrifice asked of them without counting the cost.
The reciprocal is an understanding that the government will take all measures to ease the loss and suffering which they experience as a result of performing their duties.
Soldiers tend to be overly cynical because they get sent in when political processes and politicians fail and they’re left to sort out the messes and survive as best they can. Life becomes pretty raw and the niceties are quickly set aside.
They can spot poor leadership and a BS act from miles away; they have to because they need to know who to depend on when the chips are down, and it’s mostly each other.
Unfortunately that ends when the uniform comes off.
For some of today’s veterans, Rudyard Kipling’s 1890 ode to the British soldier still rings true:
“You talk o’ better food for us, an’ schools, an’ fires, an’ all:
We’ll wait for extra rations if you treat us rational.
Don’t mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face.
For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “chuck him out, the brute!”
But it’s “Saviour of ‘is country” when the guns begin to shoot;
An’ it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ anything you please;
An’ Tommy ain’t a bloomin’ fool — you bet that Tommy sees!” John Thompson Kaleden