A new generation of men and women are filling the ranks of Canadian Forces Veterans after fighting a war in Afghanistan that’s lasted more than a decade.
Although the military’s combat role officially ended there in 2011, still deployed in Afghanistan are close to 1,000 military personnel to help train the Afghan National Army as part of the International Security Assistance Force.
The observance of Remembrance Day is changing in a way, explains Bob Wangensteen, president of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #260-100 Mile House.
Older Veterans from the Second World War and the Korean War are passing away and there is a younger generation of Veterans who need support.
“These are people from 20 to 40 years old and they’re going to be around for a long time, which stresses the need for [The Royal Canadian Legion] and the work they do even more.”
The Royal Canadian Legion, a non-profit Veterans organization, helps service members and their families in a variety of ways.
As well as with financial assistance or assistance with retraining and schooling, the organization helps with navigating the bureaucracy of Veterans Affairs Canada – “dealing with the government can be like dealing with an awful brick wall” – and also addressing the physical and psychological effects of war, Wangensteen says.
He served in the Canadian military between 1968 and 1974. As Branch 260 currently prepares for Remembrance Day ceremonies on Nov. 11, the organization continues to participate in the Red Fridays Campaign, which sees members raise money and wear red to support Canadian troops.
“I think in the last seven years, I’ve collected between $8,000 and $10,000, which we distribute to a couple military charities,” Wangensteen says, adding The Royal Canadian Legion is also involved in the schools by supporting different programs and helping to inform students about Remembrance Day.
“The kids are asking good, intelligent questions. They want to know what (Remembrance Day) means and what happened and they appreciate it. It’s inspiring to see.”
Even though Canada’s involvement in the war in Afghanistan is winding down, it’s important the public still thinks about the men and women serving in the Armed Forces, Wangensteen adds.
“When it’s going on, it’s uppermost in everyone’s mind. But when it’s over, [the attitude] is, ‘Let’s forget about it and carry on.’”
That sort of indifference underscores the purpose for The Royal Canadian Legion,
he adds.
“There are still people suffering the effects of the Second World War and the Korean War. [The war in Afghanistan] is not going to be any different.”
