May - June Comrades (front row) being sworn in as new members of our branch. General meeting May 26 th at 1pm General meeting June 16 th at 1pm

Transcription

1 May - June 2013 Comrades (front row) being sworn in as new members of our branch General meeting May 26 th at 1pm General meeting June 16 th at 1pm Our President Don Barr and Secretary Manager Doug Grant welcome you to the Esquimalt Legion. We hope you enjoy your visit to our branch. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. 1

2 BRANCH NEWSLETTER May - June VOL 3 ISSUE Admirals Road, Victoria, BC, V9A 2N7 NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS OF YOUR EXECUTIVE Legion Bar Doug Grant Secretary Manager Neil Townsend Assistant rclesquimalt@shaw.ca Fax Web Page EXECUTIVE Donald Barr President Robert Haldane 1 st Vice President Jim MacMillan-Murphy 2 nd Vice President Anna Appleby Treasurer Ken Irvine Past President, Honors & Awards Shawn Gaudet Sergeant At Arms Ken Irvine Service Officer Brian Hammond Sports Orville Mayer Sick Visitor Kathleen Prior Ways & Means Jim Swanbeck Entertainment Kathrin Townsend Membership Larry Smith House Curtis Danchuk Member at Large Jim MacMillan-Murphy Publicity Sylvia Vink Poppy Fund Charles Hierons Executive Member

3 May Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 5 11:00 AM Pool 2:00 PM 12 11:00 AM Pool 2:00 PM 19 11:00 AM Pool 2:00 PM 26 11:00 AM Pool 1:00 PM General Meeting 2:00 PM 6 BgnrsLineDancing 1:00 PM Sr Carpet Bowling 13 12:00 AM SrsDirectorsMeeting BgnrsLineDancing 1:00 PM Sr Carpet Bowling 20 BgnrsLineDancing 1:00 PM Sr Carpet Bowling 27 BgnrsLineDancing 1:00 PM Sr Carpet Bowling 7 IntrmdLineDancing SrsFloorCurling Prov Election Forum Darts 14 IntrmedLineDancing SrsFloorCurling Darts 21 IntrmdLineDancing SrsFloorCurling Darts 28 IntrmedLineDancing SrsFloorCurling 1 12:30 AM Srs Cards 9:00 AM BgnrBgnrLineDancng 8 9:00 AM BgnrBgnrLineDancng 15 9:00 AM BgnrBgnrLineDancng 12:30 PM Srs Cards 6:00 PM Executive Meeting 22 9:00 AM BgnrBgnrLineDancng 1:00 PM Srs General Meeting 29 9:00 AM BgnrBgnrLineDancng 2 SrsFloorCurling 1:00 PM SrsShufflbrd dropin 6:00 PM Texas Holdem Darts Drop in Pool 9 SrsFloorCurling 1:00 PM SrsShuflbrd drop in 6:00 PM Texas Holdem Darts Drop in Pool 16 SrsFloorCurling 1:00 PM SrsShufflbrd dropin 6:00 PM Texas Holdem Darts Drop in Pool 23 SrsFloorCurling 1:00 PM SrsShufflbrd dropin 6:00 PM Texas Holdem Darts Drop in Pool 30 SrsFloorCurling 1:00 PM SrsShufflrd drop in 6:00 PM Texas Holdem Darts Drop in Pool 3 4:00 PM 5:00 PM MusicBingo 8:00 PM Ron King 10 4:00 PM 5:00 PM MusicBingo 8:00 PM Ron King 17 4:00 PM 5:00 PM MusicBingo 8:00 PM Ron King 24 4:00 PM 5:00 PM MusicBingo 8:00 PM Ron King 31 4:00 PM 5:00 PM MusicBingo 8:00 PM Ron King 4 2:00 PM Yesterdays Wine 3:00 PM Swing On By 11 2:00 PM Yesterdays Wine 3:00 PM 18 2:00 PM Yesterdays Wine 3:00 PM 25 11:00 AM Golf Tournament 2:00 PM Yesterdays Wine 3:00 PM 3

4 Or one 5oz. glass of house Wine $8.00 Yummy! Fridays during kitchen hours Purchase ticket at kitchen 4

5 4 draws with 5 selections Now improved Bigger! Better! 5

6 May, June Fun! 8:00 Ron King every Friday Saturday Jams 4 th Yesterday s wine 11 th Yesterday s wine 18 th Southbound 25 th Yesterday s wine Music Bingo Fridays 6

7 Announcements Submitted by Comrade Larry Smith Marois pulls Fleur-de-lis from poppy The premier of Quebec wasted no time removing a Fleur-de-lis pin from her lapel Friday after some veterans complained about her wearing it inside a Remembrance Day poppy. Peter Rakobowchuk Canadian Press November 3, 2012 Quebec Premier Pauline Marois has removed a Fleur-de-lis pin from her Remembrance Day poppy. Photograph by: The Canadian Press Quebec Premier Pauline Marois has removed a Fleur-de-lis pin from her Remembrance Day poppy. Photograph by: The Canadian Press The premier of Quebec wasted no time removing a Fleur-de-lis pin from her lapel Friday after some veterans complained about her wearing it inside a Remembrance Day poppy. Premier Pauline Marois had been wearing the poppy with the small Quebec emblem in it since she gave her inaugural speech in the national assembly on Wednesday. A spokeswoman for Marois said she wasn't trying to offend anyone by combining the Quebec symbol with the veterans' one. "Her objective was not to create a controversy," said her director of communications, Shirley Bishop. "Madame Marois has a lot of respect for veterans and a lot of respect for all the people who've lost their lives for their homeland. The fact of putting a Fleur-de-lis was not at all... a political act. "She'll continue to wear the poppy but, given the controversy, she will not put [in] the Fleur-de-lis." The sudden sartorial reversal came after complaints Friday from a veterans' group in Quebec. The Quebec Command of the Royal Canadian Legion said some of its members were insulted that Marois had modified the poppy. Margot Arsenault, the Legion's provincial president, accused the Parti Quà bã cois premier of playing politics. "I find it's very political and right now the veterans are very, very, very upset because they fought for Canada, not just for Quebec," she said Friday. "We are in Canada. If she wants to wear the poppy she should just wear it like it is." 7

8 Arsenault said she had received about 15 phone calls and about a dozen s from veterans who complained the premier's gesture was not acceptable. Several complaints were from francophone veterans who live in Rimouski and Quebec City. Arsenault, whose father was a veteran, said the poppy is a Royal Canadian Legion symbol and nothing should be attached inside - even the Canadian flag. "Nothing is to be worn inside like a pin - whether it's the Canadian flag or anything. We're not supposed to," she said. On its website, the Royal Canadian Legion says the poppy is "the sacred symbol of Remembrance and should not be defaced in any way." It's the second time Marois has taken criticism this year over a red lapel ornament. Last spring, she stopped wearing the red square in support of the student protest movement. to the Branch From: Johan Moors [mailto:ypres.salient@hotmail.com] Sent: May :17 AM To: Johan Moors Subject: I'm a World War 1 buff and researcher living in the Ypres Salient in Belgium. Very often I roam the Military Cemeteries to take pictures of headstones requested by relatives of soldiers of Great Britain and the Commonwealth Forces who were killed or died in Flanders Fields. For the moment I'm doing a lot of research for Australians, New Zealanders,Irish, Canadians and British to locate their family members who were killed during the Great War in Belgium or France. For some examples, please, look at my website If you have any relative who fought in my country or France during the WW1, I would be glad the locate him and send you a picture of his headstone, cemetery and an account of his "Footsteps". This is free of charge. Kind regards Johan Moors 8

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10 From: BC Yukon Command Sent: April 16, :35 AM To: undisclosed-recipients: Subject: Memo # Arctic Star Medal and Bomber Command Clasp BC/YUKON COMMAND The Royal Canadian Legion # Avenue Surrey, BC V3S 1L3 Phone (1) Fax (1) info@legionbcyukon.ca or visit us at April 16, 2013 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: All Branches and Las For Information of Members of Command Executive Council Paul Howard, Honours and Awards Chair Arctic Star Medal and Bomber Command Clasp Memo #47.13 A new medal and clasp is being produced in the United Kingdom - the Arctic Star and Bomber Command Clasp. Awarded for service in World War II, they are retrospective awards, coming nearly seventy years after the end of World War II. To qualify for the Arctic Star: Eligibility includes all who served north of the Arctic Circle in World War Two, including members of all three Services and the Merchant Navy. To qualify for the Bomber Command Clasp: Requires prior qualification for the 1939 to 1945 Star, to which it will be affixed. Additional requirement is to have flown at least one operational sortie with a Bomber Command operational unit. 10

11 The application forms and eligibility sheet is attached. Please note that applications are processed by the Ministry of Defence Medal Office based in England. Contact info: MoD Medal Office, Imjin Barracks, Innsworth, Gloucester, GL3 1HW For further information visit this website: Regards, Paul Veterans resolutions pass unanimously at federal NDP convention Fair Treatment for Canadian Forces and RCMP Veterans and their Families: Fair Treatment for Canada s Canadian Forces and RCMP Veterans and their Families: By: Peter Stoffer, MP Sackville-Eastern Shore, Official Opposition Critic for Veterans Affairs, Sylvain Chicoine, MP, Chateauguay-Saint-Constant, Deputy Critic for Veterans Affairs, Irene Mathyssen, MP London-Fanshawe, and Manon Perreault, MP, Montcalm Our country has a long history of standing up for the rights and freedoms Canadians hold dear. The men and women who join the Canadian Forces (CF) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) know they may be called upon to risk their lives on behalf of Canada to uphold peace, security or human rights here at home and around the world. For those who accept the condition of unlimited liability, we honour their service and are grateful for their personal sacrifices, including those sacrifices made by their families. Canada has a long-standing Social Contract that recognizes the extraordinary commitment of the men and women who hazard their lives in service to our country. This Social Contract acknowledges that our nation and its government and citizens will support these men and 11

12 women in their missions, honour their service, and look after them and their families if they are injured or die in the service of their country. Reference to this Social Contract is included in many pieces of legislation that defines benefits and services for veterans. New Democrats value the work and sacrifice of all Canadian Forces and RCMP veterans and currently serving personnel, whether they serve at home, in war, or on peacekeeping missions. We must ensure that our veterans and their families are well cared for, from the moment they sign up to the moment they pass away, including a dignified funeral and burial. New Democrats have led the way on proposals to improve the programs and services available for Canadian Forces and RCMP veterans and their families. New Democrats believe in: Improve, Review, and Update the New Veterans Charter (NVC) including the lump-sum payment for injured veterans. New Democrats would review, improve, and update the entire New Veterans Charter (NVC) from top to bottom including the issue of lump-sum payments, earnings loss, support for families, attendant allowance for caregivers, education assistance, career transition, death benefits, and benefits after age 65. We must ensure that NVC programs provide a standard of care and compensation commensurate to those who have accepted the condition of unlimited liability in the service of our country. Applying Principle of One Veteran, One Standard so that all CF and RCMP veterans and their families would be eligible for access to veterans programs and services, including recognition at commemoration events. It is unfair that many CF and RCMP veterans cannot access government programs and services for assistance because eligibility is based on strict criteria like when, where or how they served. This unjustly establishes classes of veterans and veterans families who are eligible for benefits and other classes of veterans who are not. The NDP would apply the principle of One Veteran, One Standard, so that all CF and RCMP veterans would be eligible for access to programs and services including equal recognition at commemorative events. Replacing the politically appointed Veterans Review and Appeal Board with a medical evidencebased peer reviewed process for making decisions on veterans disability applications, in consultation with veterans and veterans organizations. 12

13 For many years, veterans have been dissatisfied with the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB). Members of the VRAB are appointed because of their political connections and many have little military or medical experience. In consultation with veterans and veterans organizations, the NDP commits to replace the Board with a medical-evidence peer reviewed process for making decisions on veterans disability applications. Ending the unfair reduction of service pensions for retired and disabled Canadian Forces and RCMP veterans. The service pensions of Canadian Forces or RCMP members are unfairly offset when members begin to collect Canada Pension Plan benefits or if members become disabled and collect Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits. The NDP would end these unfair reductions. For their service and sacrifice, veterans and their families deserve to be treated with financial dignity when they retire or become disabled. Supporting initiatives to help veterans transition into the civilian workforce. When members retire or leave the Canadian Forces or RCMP due to injury or illness, members and their families may need assistance to make the transition to civilian life. New Democrats would improve transition programs to ensure they meet the needs of members and their families and that these programs are simple and hassle-free. We support programs that help veterans transition to shipbuilding or construction trades and would look to expand these types of agreements with provinces and other industry sectors. We would explore options such as a federal tax credit for private employers hiring veterans and continued access to DND health services during this period of transition to civilian life. Initiate a full public inquiry into chemical spraying at CFB Gagetown. New Democrats would initiate a full public inquiry into the chemical spraying at CFB Gagetown that took place from Residents, families, and Canadian Forces personnel exposed to this spraying continue to have health impacts and should have access to appropriate compensation and benefits. Expand the Veterans Independence program for all veterans, widows, and widowers including the RCMP. The NDP would expand the Veterans Independence Program to assist all Canadian Forces and RCMP veterans and their spouses. Many ailing veterans, widows and widowers do not meet the strict eligibility criteria to access this program. We would simplify access to this program and update coverage to recognize the service and contributions of CF and RCMP veterans and their spouses. 13

14 Ending the unjust offset of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) disability pensions for medically released members of the RCMP. The NDP would end the unjust offset of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) long-term disability pension benefits for medically released members of the RCMP. Disability pension payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs are offset when members receive long-term disability benefits through their work-place disability insurance plan for injuries occurred while on duty. This issue mirrors the Service Income Security Insurance Program (SISIP) clawback that affected injured Canadian Forces veterans and was settled through a class action lawsuit. Continue the Veterans Long Term Care program including access for modern-day veterans and initiate discussions for new Health Care Centres of Excellence for currently serving CF and RCMP members and veterans and their families. The federal government intends to phase out dedicated long-term care beds for veterans, passing the responsibility of veterans long-term care to the provinces. World War II and Korean veterans, as long as they meet certain criteria, are eligible for departmental contract beds (also referred to as a priority beds) in approved provincial community care facilities or veterans hospital wings. Funding is provided to the provinces for these contract beds. The program and the funding will cease when the last WWII or Korean War veteran passes away. This means that veterans will no longer have priority access to departmental contract beds and will compete with the civilian population for access to long-term care in provincial community care facilities. New Democrats would continue the veterans long-term care program, including dedicated departmental contract beds, to ensure priority access for veterans and the continuity of specialized care. We would expand eligibility for access to these contract beds to all CF and RCMP veterans. We believe that the federal government, as part of its Social Contract with veterans, has a responsibility to provide long-term care to all veterans. We would also initiate discussions with the provinces for new Health Care Centres of Excellence for currently serving CF and RCMP members and veterans and their families. The Health Care Centres of Excellence would provide leading edge care specific to the health needs of CF and RCMP personnel including both physical and mental injuries. Respond to the concerns of Atomic Veterans exposed to nuclear weapon trials and clean-up efforts at Chalk River nuclear plant. Canadian military personnel and their families exposed to nuclear radiation from nuclear weapon trials in the United States and the clean-up at Chalk River nuclear plant have long sought justice and fair compensation. 14

15 Many of these atomic veterans and their families have experienced serious lifelong health difficulties and illness as a result of their exposure to radiation. The NDP would respond to their concerns with emphasis on determining fair and proper compensation and benefits for these atomic veterans and their families or their estates. Ensuring that all veterans have access to a dignified funeral and burial by increasing federal government allowances. All veterans and their families deserve to have access to a dignified funeral and burial. New Democrats would extend eligibility for this program to all CF and RCMP veterans and increase coverage so that program benefits are in line with current funeral and burial expenses. Removing the restrictive marriage after 60 clause so surviving veterans spouses can access pension and health benefits. Current legislation restricts annuity and health benefits for CF and RCMP veterans surviving spouses in the case of marriage after the age of 60. New Democrats would end these archaic marriage/pension restrictions for CF and RCMP veterans and their spouses. Adopt an Identity Card for CF and RCMP veterans and their families to better facilitate contact and communication with veterans. New Democrats support the creation of a national veterans identity card for CF and RCMP veterans to provide visible recognition of service and to better facilitate contact, communication and outreach with veterans and their families and government service providers. An identity card for CF and RCMP veterans would also help to create efficiencies in the delivery of programs. Increasing the amount of survivors pensions so that veterans spouses can manage basic living expenses with dignity. Veterans surviving spouses and their children are eligible to receive a portion of their late spouses disability pension or annuity. New Democrats would increase the allowance given to survivor s and their children from 50% to 66% so that spouses can manage basic living costs with dignity, maintain economic security, and to honour the contribution and sacrifices of the veteran s family. Supporting research on the unique challenges and health needs of military and RCMP personnel, veterans, and their families over the course of their lives and developing strategies to protect their health. 15

16 New Democrats commit to supporting research on the unique health challenges of Canadian Forces and RCMP veterans and their families. Departments need to better track service-related injuries and identify patterns of injuries and illness, especially with specific service injuries such as hearing loss, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), brain trauma, Operational Service Injuries (OSI) and use this research to adapt programs and services to meet the needs of these veterans and their families. Better support for those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs) for currently serving CF and RCMP members and veterans and their families. There are significant gaps in care for CF and RCMP members and their families suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs). New Democrats commit to better support for these veterans and their families and would explore the feasibility of more clinics and emergency crisis centres for CF and RCMP veterans and their families. Enhance recognition of the contribution of Aboriginal veterans. Aboriginal men and women have contributed outstanding service and sacrifice to Canada s military and have served in times of war and peace. Yet First Nation, Inuit, and Métis veterans returning from World War I and II, the Korean War, and many other conflicts often did not receive the same education, land, or resettlement benefits as other veterans. New Democrats would enhance recognition of the contribution of aboriginal veterans. Expanding the role of Veterans Ombudsman to provide independent analysis and reports to Parliament. New Democrats would expand the role of the Veterans Ombudsman so that the Ombudsman would report to Parliament and have a broader mandate to investigate veterans concerns and issues. Greater recognition of the contributions of women who served Women have made significant contributions while serving in Canada s military and RCMP whether they served during war, here at home, or on peacekeeping missions. We honour their service and sacrifice and their role in breaking down barriers towards a full and equal service for all members. New Democrats would ensure that the victories, struggles, and sacrifices, of women veterans are celebrated, remembered, and honored and that measures are in place to continually safeguard equality of all members. 16

17 Ensuring veterans programs and services are kept current, quickly respond to identified gaps in veterans care and continually update programs and legislation to ensure needs of veterans and their families are met. New Democrats would mandate frequent reviews of veterans programs and services to keep them current and responsive. New Democrats want veterans to have more input into departmental programs and policies and would increase the opportunity for meaningful consultation and input. Ensuring economic security for Canadian Forces and RCMP veterans and their families. The men and women who risk their lives on behalf of our country should be assured economic security and that their needs, including the needs of their families, will be taken care of. We have proposed extending the Veterans Independence Program, enhancing survivors pensions, and supporting homeless veterans and at-risk veterans to help ensure the economic security of CF and RCMP veterans and their families. Respond to the concerns of gay and lesbian veterans. Hundreds of servicemen and servicewomen were forced out of the military or dishonourably discharged because they were gay or lesbian. New Democrats would respond to the concerns of these veterans with an eye to removing the dishonourable discharge from their records. It is never too late to right a wrong. Respond to concerns about unequal standards of care for injured reservists Concerns have been raised about unequal standards of care for injured reservists. New Democrats would review these concerns in an effort to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all members and veterans of the Reserve Force. Review long outstanding grievances of CF and RCMP veterans who have been exposed to hazardous materials like asbestos, defoliant spraying or other identified occupational health issues like hearing loss. Many veterans and their families have had to fight for access to pension or health benefits. Veterans who have health complications related to exposure to hazardous materials like asbestos, radiation, defoliant spraying, and occupational noise have been denied assistance or experienced difficulty accessing benefits. New Democrats would look at these types of cases to see where benefits and services can be applied. No veteran should fall through the cracks. Enhancement of Veterans Rights. 17

18 Former Veterans Ombudsman Colonel (Ret d) Pat Stogran proposed 10 principles of fair treatment to help guide legislation, programs, and policies in support of veterans and their families. These principles include the following: transparency of programs that are easy to understand, programs that give veterans the right to live their life with the same dignity they enjoyed while serving, services that take into account the needs of families, health for life, duty to accommodate and several more. New Democrats advocate that these principles be adopted to guide programs and legislation that will meet the needs of CF and RCMP veterans and their families. Conclusion This paper summarizes some of the ways New Democrats would improve the programs and services available for Canadian Forces and RCMP veterans and their families. This list is by no means all inclusive as New Democrats would be responsive to the changing needs of veterans and their families. New Democrats are committed to improving the lives of CF and RCMP veterans and their families by providing fair benefits that recognize their personal sacrifices and service to our country. At the going down of the sun, we will remember them. The laugh is on us! Finally! Computer settings I understand. 18

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21 Unique Military Hero s The only man to win both the Victoria Cross and the German Iron Cross!! William George Nicholas Manley VC, CB, E.K. II (17 December November 1901) was born in Dublin and was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Details Manley was 32 years old, and an assistant surgeon in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, British Army during the Waikato-Hauhau Maori War, New Zealand when the following deed took place on 29 April 1864 near Tauranga, New Zealand, during the assault on the rebel pā ("pah") Gate Pā, for which he was awarded the VC. 21

22 For his conduct during the assault on the Rebel Pah, near Tauranga, New Zealand, on the 29th of April last, in most nobly risking his own life, according to the testimony of Commodore Sir William Wiseman, Bart., C.B., in his endeavour to save that of the late Commander Hay, of the Royal Navy, and others. Having volunteered to accompany the storming party into the Pah, he attended on that Officer when he was carried away, mortally wounded, and then volunteered to return, in order to see if he could find any more wounded. It is stated that he was one of the last Officers to leave the Pah. [1] Honours and Awards CITATION (Iron Cross - 2nd Class) Franco-Prussian War "For services with the British Ambulance Corps caring for the wounded of the 22nd Division in the actions of Chateau-neuf and Bretoncelle, on 18th and 21st December 1870, and the battles of Orleans and Cravant, on 10th December 1870." It was reported in the Daily Mail of 24 January 2006, that Manley was awarded the German Iron Cross (E.K II) for tending the wounded during the Franco-Prussian War of He is the only recipient of both the VC and the Iron Cross. He also earned himself 18 medals, including the most prestigious medals of France and Afghanistan. Manley eventually achieved the rank of surgeon general. After having been awarded a set of high ranking medals unmatched in history, he was offered a knighthood by Queen Victoria. However, he did not accept the title, as he did not believe that he could afford the lifestyle of a knight and therefore he politely refused. Death Manley died in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on 16 November 1901, and his medals are on display in the medals gallery of Firepower - The Royal Artillery Museum in Woolwich, south east London. 22

23 In our endeavors to better serve you we are creating an directory of our membership. This way also, you would receive the newsletter at home. Should you have an address and want to participate, just fill out this simple form. Name address Drop it off at the office, attention Neil Thank you General meeting, 1pm, May 26 th 23