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    Laurence Strong

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    Posts posted by Laurence Strong

      Medal for soldier killed by RCMP - Memorial Cross presented to family of veteran who had stress disorder

      in Commonwealth Realms: Canada, New Zealand & Australia Medals & Militaria

      Posted · Edited by Laurence Strong

      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/

      For a lot of them it was from drinking, which started in the military, escalated over time and 10 years later you would see the alcoholism, and through that they would lose their job, their relationships, their housing, Ray says.

      Surprisingly, none of the veterans had been deployed overseas; so their current plight wasn't caused by deployment trauma or PTSD. With the exception of a couple who had experience in peacekeeping missions, the bulk of the veterans in the study all served on bases in Canada."

      The average age of a homeless Canadian veteran is 52, they left the military 20 years ago, and their first episode of homelessness was 10 years after completing their service. The common response was they needed better transitional services in place, for housing and addiction, when they left the service.

      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

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      North American Indian Chiefs Medal

      in Commonwealth Realms: Canada, New Zealand & Australia Medals & Militaria

      Posted

      Hi Not a whole lot of info

      1814. Obverse, bust with older head of king to right laureated, draped in an ermine mantle, secured in front with a large bow of ribbon, wearing the collar and jewel of St. George; legend, Georgius III Dei Gratia Britanniarum Rex F. D .; under bust, T. Wyon, Jun. S. Reverse, the royal arms of Great Britain with shield of pretense of Hanover, surmounted by a crown and crested helmet, all encircled by ribbon of the Garter and supporters, below a ribbon with motto, Dieu et Mon Droit; above ribbon, a rose, thistle, and shamrock; behind helmet on both sides, a display of acanthus leaves; in exergue, 1814 . Silver; size, 2 3/8 to 4 11/16 in.

      Apparently three different sizes, what are the dimensions of yours?

      Larry

      1

      Gen Vo Nguyen Giap Dies

      in South East & East Asia

      Posted · Edited by Laurence Strong

      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

      0

      The New Royal Canadian Air Force Badge

      in Commonwealth Realms: Canada, New Zealand & Australia Medals & Militaria

      Posted

      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

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