If my government had come to me then and said Canada was confronting a serious threat and needed to borrow my car, my impulse would have been to give them the keys.
If my car was returned washed and polished but with extensive damage under the hood, I would have been dismayed. If my government then tried to deny responsibility or refused to pay for the repairs, I would have become justifiably angry.
Canada’s combat role in Afghanistan is officially over. My children were not borrowed by my government for that questionable task. However many men and women were. Canadians must insist that our government return the surviving fathers, mothers, sons and daughters back to their families in the best condition possible.
That means accepting the costly responsibility of making medical and psychological services readily available for those in need. Canada owes their military personnel more than praise for sacrifice, medals for valour and annual parades.
Our politicians have a moral obligation to ensure Canadian veterans receive whatever physical and emotional help they require to move forward in their lives.
Lloyd Atkins
Vernon
