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6 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, November 5,1986 Section Two NOVEMBER 1986 How do we remember? (NC) -- On November 11th, in particular, particular, and on occasion throughout the year, we have the opportunity to remember the efforts of those special special Canadians. In remembering, we pay homage to those who responded to their country's need. On November November 11th, we wear poppies. We pause for two minutes of silent tribute, tribute, and we attend commemorative ceremonies in memory of our wartime wartime dead. Poppies are worn as the flower of remembrance, a reminder of the blood-red flower which still grows on the site of battles fought in France and Belgium. Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, during the terrible bloodshed of the second battle of Ypres, in the spring of 1915, wrote of these flowers which lived on among the graves of dead soldiers. In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. The flowers and the larks serve as reminders of nature's ability to withstand the destructive elements of war by men, a symbol of hope in a period of human despair. The poppy was adopted for symbolic purposes after the First World War. A French woman, Madame E. Guérin, suggested to Field-Marshall Earl Haig of the British forces that women and children in devastated areas of France could produce poppies poppies for sale. The first British Poppy Day Appeal was in November 1921 and has been continued since in Britain and in other countries. In Canada, the poppies which we wear are made by disabled veterans. We wear them as reminders of,those who died while fighting for peace. We wear them as reminders of the horrors of conflict and the beauties of peace. The two minutes of silence provides provides another significant way of remembering remembering wartime while thinking of peace. Two minutes is scarcely enough time for thought and reflection. reflection. • As we pause and bow our heads, we remember those brave men and women who courageously 110-20 volunteered for the cause of freedom freedom and peace. For those who were part of the wartime period, remembering means thinking of comrades, it evokes memories of young men and young women who never returned home. Those born after the wars may picture youthful soldiers who eagerly joined up from high schools across the country only to meet death while rushing to combat the enemy. They may imagine the anguish of a man leaving a new wife, a young family, an elderly mother. The important thing for all of us to remember is that they fought to preserve a way of life, the traditions of being Canadian, the freedom we currently enjoy. Remember Remember that the silence is for peace. Both in Canada and overseas, there are memorials to commemorate commemorate the service of Canadian troops. The National War Memorial in Ottawa Ottawa was originally designed to recognize recognize those who served in the First World War. It has been rededicated to symbolize the sacrifice made by Canadians in the Second World War arid in Korea. The National War Memorial symbolizes the unstinting unstinting and courageous way in which Canadians gave their service when values which they believed in seemed threatened. Advancing together together through a large archway are figures representing the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who answered answered the call to serve. At the top of the arch are two figures which stand as emblems of peace and freedom. freedom. The Books of Remembrance which lie in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower are another record record of the wars. In addition, most cities and towns across the country have dedicated a monument, a building, a room to their native sons and daughters who gave their lives. These are an enduring record of the losses suffered by communities everywhere.as Canadians went forward forward to fight for what they believed wàs right. One day every year, we pay special special homage to those who died in service to their country. We remember remember brave men and women for their courage and for their devotion to ideals. We wear poppies, attend ceremonies, and visit memorials. For one brief moment of our life, we remember why we must work for peace every day of the year. Veterans Independence Program Veterans Affairs Canada (NC) -- Troops of the R. 22e R. cleaning Bren guri, Korea, December 1951. (NC) -- Nearly 10,000 veterans are presently being helped to remain in their own homes as a result of an innovative program. The Veterans Independence Program, Program, launched five years ago, is designed to support independent living living for war veterans. Veterans Affairs Minister George Hees calls the program "one of the most thoughtful and most dynamic programs being provided by any level of government today". Initially, V.I.P. was available only to war disability pensioners whose long-term health needs were related to their pensioned condition. But the program has gradually grown and in 1986 it was further expanded expanded to embrace applications from those who are over the age of 65 and who are recipients of the War Veterans Allowance. The program provides home modifications, transportation assistance, assistance, ambulatory health, adult residential, and nursing home interT.. mediate care, ; , m,-. Mr. Hees explained that while the 1 costs of V.I.P. are not low, alter! nate costs would be very much higher. "Our studies show that at least 10 veterans can be maintained in their homes under the program for the cost of maintaining just one in a health care institution," he said. "As a result, veterans can enjoy maximum independence and the best possible quality of life with Lest We Forget Improved benefits for veterans 110-24 (NC) -- Recent improved benefits for former prisoners of war were amongst the many changes introduced introduced to assist veterans and their families. Veterans Affairs Minister George Hees received all-party support for the second major veteran's bill passed by Parliament in the last two years. The most recent legislation -- Bill C-100 -- gave nearly $4 million in additional benefits to former prisoners prisoners of war. One of the principal changes helps veterans who were both seriously disabled and taken prisoner. Until the new legislation, former POWs could not receive a combined disability pension, and POW Compensation Compensation in excess of 100%. Mr. Hees said the new proposal provides for the payment of POW Compensation regardless of the respective respective POW's disability pension asessment. Canadian veterans captured at Hong Kong in 1941 are the principal beneficiaries of the change. For example, under the Compensation Compensation for Prisoners of War Act, Hong Kong POWs arc entitled to compensation equal to a 50 per cent disability pension. In addition, many also suffered disabilities for which they have been awarded a pension under the Pension Act at a rate greater than 50 per cent. Once the lcgislaton was approved by Parliament, single veterans taken prisoner in Hong Kong, and having 100 per cent pensionable disability saw their monthly compensation rise from $1,191 to $ 1,786 a month. It is estimated that nearly 550 former prisoners of war arc benefiting benefiting from the proposed change which will cost an estimated $2,592,000 million a year. Mr. Hees' package also included amendments providing for in- ereased benefits for prisoners of war who were held by a nation other than Japan for a period of 30 months or more. Such veterans, who received compensation compensation at the 20 per cent disability disability pension rate, saw the rate increased increased to 25 per cent. The majority of veterans who benefited from this amendment are those who were captured captured during the Dieppe Raid in August 1942. Approximately 1,550 veterans and widows of ucrans arc rccciv- (NC) -- Personnel of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Canadian Light Infantry, passing through village during patrol In Korea, 11 March 1951. ing an additional $1,283,000 million annually. Other amendments passed in Parliament Parliament helped the spouses and dependent dependent children of veterans. Previously, posthumous pension claims by a veteran's survivor could be successful if the Canadian Pension Pension Commission ruled that the veteran veteran should have received a pension in excess of 47% had the veteran applied applied during his or her lifetime. The Pension Act was amended to allow the Commission to rule on posthumous posthumous claims, regardless of the assessment. assessment. The Veterans Land Act was amended to make provision for spousal rights to a VLA property. This permitted the spouse to become become the legal beneficiary on the veteran's death, and thereby saves the spouse from incurring needless legal expense. Mr. Hees also successfully proposed proposed that the age definition of a dependent child he extended from 17 to 18 years, a year longer than under the existing legislation. In addition, the maximum tuition grant for eligible children of deceased deceased veterans was raised from $800 to $1,500 a year, and the assistance assistance was extended to those attending attending technical and vocational schools. Mr. Hees also announced that Veterans Affairs was increasing the maximum rates payable for funeral expense assistance. The maximum is now $1,200, up from the $1,000 limit set in 1983. This change affected the cases of veterans and civilians who meet the eligibility criteria under cither the Veterans Burial Regulations, the Last Post Fund regulations, or the Pension Act administered by the Canadian Pension Commission. In 1984-85, the Department of Veterans Affairs spent $5,739,000 on this activity. In addition to funeral expense assistance, assistance, the Department may also pay up to 100% of the cost of the grave, its opening and closing and perpetual care. If required by the cemetery, the Department may also pay for a gravclincr. Veterans Affairs' financial assistance assistance may also Include a standard Departmental grnvcmnrkcr provided provided that the grnvcmnrkcr is acceptable acceptable to the cemetery concerned, minimum reliance on government assistance. It is ! a program of dignity dignity within reality." Mr. Hees said the program is an example of how Veterans Affairs can play a trail-blazing role for the whole of Canada. It is estimated that by the year 2000, 14 per cent of Canadians will be over the age of 65. Economists and authorities in the health field are warning about the impact this will have on the national national framework. With the average age of Canada's veteran population topping 65, Mr. Hees said Veterans Affairs is facing such a challenging situation today. "Our veterans population may represent a preview of the Canadian society of tomorrow," he said. (NC) -- Before the First World War, Canada's veterans were men who fought in what, today, seem far-off, romantic sounding campaigns campaigns -- the Fenian Raids, the Northwest Rebellion,- the Nile Expedition Expedition and the Boer War. No government government agency existed specifically to take care of the needs of these veterans; consequently, what assistance assistance they received, if any, was meagre. ' The immense human toll of the First World War changed all that. Early ip the war the Canadian Government Government was asked to move all seriously seriously wounded soldiers back to this country, and the Military Hospitals Commission was set up by Parliament Parliament to meet this situation. Shortly afterwards, vocational training programs programs were introduced to prepare disabled veterans for trades and professions. By the end of the war, a Department of Soldiers Civil Reestablishment Reestablishment had been formed to administer disability pensions, hospital hospital care, vocational training and job placement. When the demand for rehabilitation rehabilitation programs eased, the task of caring for veterans was given to the Department of Pensions and National National Health, formed in 1928. This remained the situation until near the close of the Second World War when it was recognized that an expanded expanded rehabilitation was again required. required. In 1944 the Department of Veterans Affairs was created to meet this need. Those who returned from the First World War were undoubtedly better cared for than their predecessors predecessors by such innovations as the War Veterans Allowance Act and the ■ Canadian troops are welcomed to one of the first towns in the Netherlands to be liberated. Soldier Settlement Act. Such social programs had never been attempted before on a similar scale, but there were many who felt that they were not entirely adequate. This experience experience laid the foundation for the comprehensive programs set up for the returning Second World War veterans, and for the forms of compensation compensation awarded by a grateful nation, Changing economic and social circumstances following the Second World War have led to changes in the services and benefits provided to veterans and their dependants. Legislative changes have been made, particularly in the areas of pensions and allowances, to keep pace with the new situation. As well, new programs are being developed developed to respond to the needs of a now àging clientele. The services provided by Veterans Veterans Affairs include disability pensions, pensions, widows pensions, prisoner of war ( compensation, war veterans allowances, allowances, medical treatment, counselling, counselling, advocacy, a Veterans Independence Independence Prbgram, and educational assistance to children ofj the war dead, as well as educational programs programs and appropriate commemo- ratiVe ceremonies to honour those who'gave their lives. 110-21 Sponsored by B0WMANVILLE BRANCH 178 - ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION Supporters of MEALS ON WHEELS - WELLESLEY BURN CENTRE - LEGION SERVICE WORK