Dear editor,
It seems our longest war, Afghanistan, is over, but the battles have just begun for some of our wounded veterans who are suing the federal government.
Who would have thought that running the risks of the roads of Afghanistan would seem smooth in contrast to the bumps of life back in Canada?
The new Veterans Charter is a sham. This legislation was all about cutting down on the costs of veteran compensation, just as our men and women were losing arms and legs at increasing rates in Afghanistan, in defence of our nation.
I know this is supposed to be a time of remembrance, when nations hold their past military exploits with reverence, a time to reflect upon the sacrifices our soldiers have rendered.
That's great, but cenotaphs and wreaths notwithstanding, let's celebrate our vets and put our money where our mouths are; let's give pensions to our military vets.
Louis XIV's minister Colbert had it right in the 17th century — wounded veterans deserved a pension for life, but it wasn't to be so. The fact fact that today's veterans are being screwed is only an indication of how little has changed since then.
Steve W. Hodge,
Comox