Imagine.
The profound horror of losing one you are deeply in love with is traumatic enough. To experience this terrible loss when your loved one, a proud Canadian soldier, is Killed In Action fighting a war that many Canadians no longer support serves only to further compound the level of grief. A knock on the door at an early morning hour, the solemn expressions on the regimental officer’s pallid features, a padre’s blessed compassion.
The harsh realization they are here to speak to you.
The man you have devoted your life to, the man whom you have loved unconditionally… is dead.
The dreaded words, platitudes, a searing, heart wrenching flash of terror, freefalling into the abyss of grief steadied, although not always, through responsibilities to children, an extended family and a compassionate community. A series of telephone calls, the Governor General of Canada, the Prime Minister, words of support, a litany of compassion and condolence. Intense Sorrow.
Imagine.
The children. Tears, so many tears. The distressing journey to CFB Trenton, meeting important government and military dignitaries, the aircraft carrying the fallen’s arrival. Melancholic rituals of a repatriation service, the rhythmic, haunting cadence of brightly polished boots, muted sobbing as the flag draped coffin is gently eased into the back of the waiting hearse. A rose amongst roses, a child’s forlorn wail. The nation observes, empathizes, citizens bearing flags, sharing tears as the solemn procession travels the length of the Highway of Heroes to the coroner’s office in Toronto.
Home. The seemingly unbearable task of returning the valiant to the community he left as a young, vibrant Canadian eager to serve this great nation. Families and friends join thousands of anonymous citizens, a standing tribute along the streets and on bridges. Veterans of already forgotten wars attend the viewing, muted sympathies, occasionally, tears. The children, silent, withdrawn, overwhelmed with grief. On the day of the funeral, so many attend dozens stand vigil outside the church, an unspoken promise that Canada’s sons and daughters shall never be forgotten. During the internment, a military contingent carries a casket bearing bayonet and beret; others escort wife and family to the gravesite. Final prayers are offered, the Canadian flag ritually folded. A startling barrage of gunfire, the final regimental tribute, shatters the stillness.
Life. There are responsibilities that cannot be denied. Grieving children to comfort, the need to offer solace to the fallen’s parents, logistic issues, work, school… A new life, perhaps inclusive of a separation from the military community that provided great support through the darkest moments. There will be further hardship, regardless of the fact a patriot’s husband has been Killed in Action while serving Canada in a distant land, there will be taxes on his pension and it will be added to your income, punitive in the sense of tax brackets.
Imagine this is you, my friend, who is living the bleak scenario I have just described. Then ask yourself; has not the families of the Canada sons and daughters suffered enough? Should they not be provided tax-exempt status on all awards, death benefits and pensions when their loved ones have been slain in combat on behalf of Canada? Would not these very same benefits be tax exempt were he the victim of a tragic accident on the job site in Canada?
This is one of five important issues veterans from across the nation are uniting at 1100 am, November 6th, 2010, to seek redress. The families of our comrades, our brothers in arms, deserve better considerations, that they should suffer no undue financial hardship through taxation on pensions and awards provided to them as a consequence of their loved ones being killed in Afghanistan. Rallies are planned for Parliament Hill, London, Halifax and St John’s. Elsewhere throughout the nation, veterans will be congregating at their MP’s riding offices to respectfully request their local parliamentarian address these issues on behalf of the troops and the affected veterans living in their ridings.
Veterans hope Canadians will join us, that together we can make our voices heard and united, rectify the inadequacies in the New Veterans Charter, vastly improve of the quality of life for the wounded, the injured and the families of the fallen.
Michael L Blais CD
Niagara Falls, Ont
Stand Up for Colonel Pat Stogran and for ALL CANADIAN veterans!
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