To the editor;
Having watched and read the Speech from the Throne delivered by the Queen’s representative, I am appalled at the misinformation given to Canadians about Canada’s commitments to Veterans.
To have the Queen’s representative state that the Government provides a dignified funeral to Veterans is a falsehood, in part!
What I think the representative meant to say is that the Funeral and Burial Program, which extends a dignified funeral to Veterans of the Second World War and Korean War who are financially challenged at the time of death, continues. The statement in the Speech from the Throne, which is not filled with facts, is misleading to Canadians!
With few exceptions, Modern Day Veterans (those who served after the Korean War) remain ineligible for the Federal Government program. The source of funds to bury those Veterans who are financially challenged at time of death is charity - not government and not what the Speech from the Throne states. Readers will know that charity has enabled 23 Veterans to be buried at a cost of $90,000 through the Last Post Fund donation monies, and not by the Federal Government! Why is that so, when the Speech from the Throne says otherwise?
How will you remember as the Remembrance period approaches? Will you recall the false statement in the Speech from the Throne? Or will you recall Government’s failure to support Veterans? I will salute all who have served Canada, and with profound shame, I will recall how the Government has failed to support despite pleas from all Veterans groups for more than a decade.
Please donate to the Last Post Fund to fulfill a Government and nation’s promise - that we support Veterans.
LGen L.W.F. Cuppens (Ret’d)
Nauwigewauk, New Brunswick
Find the Speech from the Throne at http://speech.gc.ca