The War Pensioners of Canada are very happy
regarding the government's announcement of granting one billion
dollars to help the peacekeepers, etc. to return to private
life.
The one thing that worries me is that the
government will give them the same benefits as their
grandfathers are getting.
For your information, many grandfathers never
did get a disability pension for injuries received during the
Second World War because the hospitals did not keep records of
their injuries.
The veterans have to appeal and appeal to try
and get benefits for their injuries.
It doesn't matter what evidence of medical
reports the veterans have, they are rejected. The veterans feel
the government believes that they are not being truthful. It's
sad.
We fought a war, and now we have to battle
with our own government to get what we deserve.
At enlistment, we were promised we would be
looked after for our injuries but the promise did not
materialize in many cases.
The government is spending millions of
dollars on the appeal system, but veterans do not get any
increases. For example, they may grant a two to three
percent increase on their assessment, but the
increase does not give them an increase in pay.
We wish the new veterans who are returning to
civil life, good luck. We are hoping they don't have to fight
for 60 years to get the benefits they deserve
as we are doing.
Fred Vincent
Pension officer, War Pensioners
Sudbury branch