I have been fuming lately about the Canadian government's cruel and disrespectful treatment of its veterans. While we are in conflict we regard those who serve, and particularly those who fall in battle, with a reverential, quasi-religious respect. Consider the Highway of Heroes and those who gathered in their hundreds on every 401 overpass to pay their respects to passing hearses and the vehicles transporting the families of those who had died.
Sadly, there is a long history of mistreatment of those who have served and returned, often with significant physical and psychological injuries. The new Veterans Charter sounds grand, but it is a cost-cutting measure which substitutes a lump-sum payment for the pensions available to many veterans. It appears that some military personnel are being ushered out before their ten years of service to avoid full pensions. Veterans offices are being closed in various places across the country.
Into the midst of my slow burn comes Rick Mercer and his weekly rant. Thank God for Rick, an unlikely and irreverent prophet who isn't afraid to speak truth to power. http://www.rickmercer.com/Rick-s-Rant/Blog/November-2013/A-Broken-Faith.aspx
What is the point of our solemn observances during Remembrance Sunday services, or trips to the Cenotaphs of our communities if we do and say nothing about the treatment of those who have "shown no greater love than to lay down their lives for a friend?" There is a fine article by Doug Saunders in Saturday's Globe and Mail which addresses these issues,
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/two-minutes-to-reconsider-victims-and-heroes/article15324734/
Are you aware of these changes in government policy regarding veterans? What should we be doing? Should Christian communities sound the concern for what is happening?
I have a hard time with these kinds of machinations, too. If there's any group of people that deserve a full pension and the support they need into their retirement, it's these folks.
ReplyDeleteLet's get rid of the Senate and put that $100,000,000 into veterans' programs !
ReplyDeleteYes, such hypocrisy....members of Parliament get a pension after 6 years, but as Rick says, they have a dangerous job too. They might gain weight from sitting too much!
ReplyDeleteThanks to all three of you for your comments. I'm with you on the Senate Judy, and yes Rick did make a nice point about pensions Karen.
ReplyDeleteIan! Great to see you back! Keep those observations coming.