To The Honorable Monsieur Blackburn,
I must first stress that in all my years I have never been moved to write a letter of complaint. This issue however, though it doesn't even affect me directly, saddens and yes, angers me. I am referring to the disgraceful treatment that is being foisted upon our returning Afghanistan war veterans and more specifically, those coming back to their homes and families with life-altering wounds (be they psychological or physical) received in the line of duty for their country. From what I have read, it appears clear to me that this government is shirking it's financial responsibility to these courageous men and women, who have made a tremendous (and in some cases the ultimate) sacrifice in defense of freedom. This at the same time your government is promising to build more prisons to house pampered inmates at anywhere from $70,000 to $150,000 per year, each! A wounded veteran lives in a prison not of his or her own making, yet he or she is expected to live the rest of their days on what amounts to a mere pittance in comparison, especially under the lump sum aspect of the New Veterans Charter. How does this make any sense?
It is time for all of us, and you most especially Monsieur Blackburn, to stand up and do the right thing for our returning veterans. Whether we are in agreement or not with the government's policies regarding the Afghan conflict, we must agree that those who served their country and sacrificed their lives or their health and livelihood should be provided with the rightful compensation due to them, along with, as the Prime Minister himself has said, "our eternal gratitude".
Personally, I will be following your handling of this grievous wrongdoing in the lead-up to the next federal election, and I will certainly try to impress upon others that how this issue is dealt with should be seriously considered before choosing a government. I believe that the level of respect and dignity accorded our returning veterans by the governing party is highly indicative of it's true political nature, and I shall cast my vote accordingly.
Sincerely,
Michael Resch
Below is the response from Minister Blackburn. Click on the pages for a larger image
I must first stress that in all my years I have never been moved to write a letter of complaint. This issue however, though it doesn't even affect me directly, saddens and yes, angers me. I am referring to the disgraceful treatment that is being foisted upon our returning Afghanistan war veterans and more specifically, those coming back to their homes and families with life-altering wounds (be they psychological or physical) received in the line of duty for their country. From what I have read, it appears clear to me that this government is shirking it's financial responsibility to these courageous men and women, who have made a tremendous (and in some cases the ultimate) sacrifice in defense of freedom. This at the same time your government is promising to build more prisons to house pampered inmates at anywhere from $70,000 to $150,000 per year, each! A wounded veteran lives in a prison not of his or her own making, yet he or she is expected to live the rest of their days on what amounts to a mere pittance in comparison, especially under the lump sum aspect of the New Veterans Charter. How does this make any sense?
It is time for all of us, and you most especially Monsieur Blackburn, to stand up and do the right thing for our returning veterans. Whether we are in agreement or not with the government's policies regarding the Afghan conflict, we must agree that those who served their country and sacrificed their lives or their health and livelihood should be provided with the rightful compensation due to them, along with, as the Prime Minister himself has said, "our eternal gratitude".
Personally, I will be following your handling of this grievous wrongdoing in the lead-up to the next federal election, and I will certainly try to impress upon others that how this issue is dealt with should be seriously considered before choosing a government. I believe that the level of respect and dignity accorded our returning veterans by the governing party is highly indicative of it's true political nature, and I shall cast my vote accordingly.
Sincerely,
Michael Resch
Below is the response from Minister Blackburn. Click on the pages for a larger image