Laurence Strong

Hello How do you tell the dates the bars were issued? Larry

The statement "huge number of our homeless are veterans of the armed forces" is misleading to say the least........ Take for example "John Smith joined the forces in his 20's, left when he was 28. At age 50 he lost his job and ended up on the street. This guy would say he was in the forces, but has nothing to do with why he's on the street." Also as we all know, once a member of the forces, always a former member of the forces... spend 3 days in basic training, voluntarily release, rob a bank 10 years later, and the media reports it as a "Former member of the Canadian forces" Some interesting stats found by a national study conducted by the University of Western Ontario: http://communication...20110113447261/ There is a hope that we won't see a major hike amongst the Bosnia Kosovo, Afghanistan vets due to the fact that there are procedures in place now like the JPSU flawed as they may be. No such systems existed a generation ago and if you had issues or problems the prevailing response was "go suck it up buttercup" which more or less meant you didn't go seek help. Ironically the very attributes that make someone a good Soldier (Sailor, Airmen) such as mental and physical toughness, self confidence, independence etc often make for a lousy homeless person. At least in the sense they're harder to treat, deal with. They're more likely to not come and ask for help. Sleeping rough, being hungry wet, cold, "hey been there done that, and can do it again if I have to mindset". Especially if they see that what's the point of asking for something I probably won't get anyway. As you said there are issues coming forth with the system, like JPSU, or the fact we have Vets forced to sue the Government as seen on the news, or read the horror stories here and elsewhere on line of people trying to navigate through the byzantine maze of indifference that is Veterans Affairs Canada. For someone literally out of options he may simply say "frig I'll just sit here on a street corner rather than put myself through that". Do not forget about the agencies playing the "poverty game" Homeless Guy goes to Group A and is helped out on Monday, but he goes back on Tuesday and there is no room and bed space for him , Group A counts him as some one they tried to help on Tuesday and Monday. Homeless guy tries Group B and finds some space and a meal. They count him as some they tried to help out and helped. So for Tuesday this homeless guy is counted twice. But he is only one man. Both Groups use this man to help show their stats to get more money next fiscal year. How many times a day does this happen, and inflate the numbers and stats of homeless people wanting or trying to get help. Thats how to play the poverty game in Canada. You can use the above to obtain, money, (lots of tax payer funded grants etc.) and/or political capital. Now remember though to actually ensure long term success, you have to follow a few simple basics. 1- Only you and your group can solve this situation and therefore should receive all the funding, attention, accolades ( the other groups are after all competition, although a few select few groups who also understand the "system" are useful allies and allow you to shuffle the homeless around in a form of shell game.) 2- Continually harp to the media on a) how serious this issue is /has become and b) what a fantastic job you're doing at it if only you had more money, resources etc. 3- Most importantly ensure you actually don't solve the problem. If you accidentally end up housing all the homeless/eliminate poverty well then you're out of a job and Barista at Starbucks really doesn't pay as well. Don't worry about anyone criticizing any actual lack of progress, they can be branded as homophobic, racist, chauvinistic, Harper/Harris/Ford pro oil neo con one per centers. ( delete/add adjectives as needed) Would be interesting to know if 16%, after subtracting the portion who may lie about former service, exceeds the percentage overall of the Canadian population who have, at some point, served with the Canadian forces....which is 1.9% according to http://www.veterans....nt/press/gnstat Money is not the answer and blaming the military for a few lost souls is not the answer either. Sincerely Larry

http://www.emedals.com/collectors-gallery/canada/campaign-medals-pairs-groups/other/north-american-indian-chief-s-medal-1814?vmcchk=1 Larry

Hi Not a whole lot of info Apparently three different sizes, what are the dimensions of yours? Larry

ABC News is reporting that Legendary Vietnam Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap Dies. The story says that Gen Giap, aged 102, "died Friday evening in a military hospital in the capital of Hanoi where he had spent close to four years growing weaker and suffering from long illnesses." The story add, that, "the so-called "red Napoleon" stood out as the leader of a ragtag army of guerrillas who wore sandals made of car tires and lugged their artillery piece by piece over mountains to encircle and crush the French army at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. The unlikely victory, which is still studied at military schools, led not only to Vietnam's independence but hastened the collapse of colonialism across Indochina and beyond ... and that Giap went on to defeat the U.S.-backed South Vietnam government in April 1975, reuniting a country that had been split into communist and noncommunist states. He regularly accepted heavy combat losses to achieve his goals." Larry

Hi Chris Ya, it's was kinda pricey. However considering the rarity.........In regards to the HV board I have only seen 4 sets counting this one. 3 singles and 1 pair that I am still wondering about as they have a lighter green farbe. Paul I believe the GFP board was for a Auxiliary Field Police Official. Larry

Thanks for the responses. Paul the farbe is dark green. I miss out on the GFP board - probably a good thing at $450 for it. I posted photographic evidence of the HV board. Same guy with 3 photo's 1939, 43, and 44 Larry

Excellent work in the one true scale Larry

Any chance of a better close up? Larry

Very nice Rogi. Did you use silver paint or foil for the body? Larry

Thanks for that Peter Larry

That is one sweet piece of work Thanks for posting the WIP Larry

Hello Peter I will let you find out that story. I am sure if you ask any person that served in the CF will be able to answer that one. Sincerely Larry

Hello Jean-Sam Give me a day or two and I will see what I can find out for you. Sincerely Larry

I would be interested in hearing some thoughts on these: Many thanks Larry

Being ex 2 RCR (the Bn that holds the dubious honor of the yellow chicken), I believe I hold the right to poke fun at the other branches .....back in '73 while awaiting my release I worked in the RCR Officers Mess with the cook that "allegedly" served the roast chicken....... In all seriousness, all branches serve with distinction and honor. Congrats to the RCAF Larry

Hmmmmm......Executive Curl, "Royal Canadian Navy"......Pip's and Crown's.....and a new Albatross, with wings "Volant", wonder what the Coast Guard gets.......... Larry

Thanks Rick Larry

Hi Glenn Is there any information on when he became "Musikinspizienten"? Thanks Larry

So whats the significance or meanng of the the crowned medal in front of his SMM? Thanks Larry

Thanks Rick much appreciated Larry

Many thanks Glenn Greatly appreciated. Two questions for the floor...... How does a musician earn a EK2 on a "Combat" ribbon, and; What did a Musikinspizienten do? Many thanks Larry

Excellent. Many thanks Rick Please excuse this noobies question? SMM? Larry

In all honesty the oil painting is regrettably not mine. I was asked if he was Id able on a different forum....maybe some day I will find him. What are the other medals is Professor Schmidt wearing? Larry

Excellent lead. Here he is in the 1938 Rangliste der Wehrmachtbeamten Heer Larry