Remembrance Day – Going Beyond Symbolic Gestures

Poppies and “Support Our Troops” bumper stickers are common symbolic gestures of support for our armed forces and veterans, but many veterans could benefit from more tangible support.

Recently, Canadian veterans demonstrated on Parliament Hill over the belief that their disability compensation and pension benefits aren’t adequate. In particular, they say that soldiers wounded in Afghanistan get less money than older veterans got.

I haven’t investigated these claims enough to decide if I think they are true. But anyone who feels strongly enough about supporting our troops should consider checking into these claims. If you decide they have merit, call or write your MP and tell him or her what you think. You will be doing more for veterans than any bumper sticker can do.

Comments

  1. Melanie SNovember 11, 2010 at 6:00 AM

    I've often wondered at the point of "support our troops" stickers. You present a good idea for actually doing so.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Chris StephensonNovember 11, 2010 at 11:50 AM

    Good point Michael. I took this as a good kick in the butt!

    Though if you "haven’t investigated these claims enough to decide if I think they are true" isn't it a stretch to say: "many veterans could benefit from more tangible support." ?

    I'd be interested in whether you think the Canadian veterans demonstration has merit if you decide to investigate it.

    Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Michael JamesNovember 11, 2010 at 11:57 AM

    @Melanie: It would be interesting to know how many people with "support our troops" bumper stickers would be willing to contact their MPs about increased support for veterans.

    @Chris: I'm not too sure how I would proceed to judge the veterans' claims. I don't think it's a stretch to say that veterans could benefit from more tangible support. Anyone can benefit from more support. The open question is whether we're willing to provide this added support.

    ReplyDelete

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