Oh, Canada; Let’s Stand on Guard for our Veterans: A Challenge to Canada’s Political Candidates

I was in my car, listening to an interview on CBC radio with a Canadian soldier and his wife. He was home from the war in Afghanistan; sort of. He was home in "body," but the man who came home was not the same man that left—not on the inside. Their story was of a lack of understanding, financial support, and resources for returning vets.

I reached my destination but found myself gripped by the interview. I grew up in the 1950s, the daughter of a veteran of World War 11. He never spoke of what he experienced until just before his death. He drank too much; was prone to rage and was distant emotionally, except when drinking.

We didn’t know the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) back then, but now that label explains a lot. He was suffering, and not just with the old shrapnel wound in his leg. He had wounds that no one saw but which were just as real as those you could. And he was just doing the best he could with the wounds that were never acknowledged. I wish I had been able to tell him that I understood all that before he died. Too late I realize just how brave he was and that he would have been so different had he not been through the unimaginable trauma of the battlefield.

Men and women of my generation—the Baby Boomers--know the impact a war had on our parents---we lived with the scars and it isn’t hard in hindsight, to connect the dots.

With current knowledge and awareness, we should do a better job of understanding and supporting veterans who are physically or emotionally disabled as a result of active duty, but, according to the interview, it seems that the help they and their families need, is just not there.

The men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces represent the people of Canada when they go to keep the peace or wage war. They do a job that puts them in harm’s way. I am proud of their bravery, sacrifice, and the difference they make for less fortunate countries while representing Canada.

Canada is known internationally for the way it honours its fallen soldiers, but surviving soldiers are heroes too. We must not abandon them in their hour of need.

Comments

Oh my, this is very, very good. I've been asked to write one too and you've set the bar very, very high. Really wonderful bit of writing that raises as really important issue. Good work kiddo.
Belinda said…
Thank you Dave, I'm so glad you're writing too. I know that you will have some excellent issues to raise with potential leaders. I look forward to reading your post!
Anonymous said…
I just read your article on Canadian veterans and as a military wife I would like to say thank you. My husband who retired 2 years ago after serving 28 years in the Canadian military (army for 14 years and air force for 14 years) was diagnosed in 2004 with PTSD and it truly is something WE live with every single day, somedays are better than others for sure and it can be a real struggle, so is really nice to read the words of someone who "Gets it" thank you very much, Sincerely, Andrea McHattie Christensen
Belinda said…
Dear Andrea,
My heart goes out to you both and I want to say thank you to you both for the sacrifices you have made and the price you both still pay. You are appreciated and cared about.

I pray that there is the political will to do better on behalf of Canada to show that we care.

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