Veterans

Members of the PPCLI Veterans’ Association chat following their meeting on May 9, 2024. The association meets on the second Thursday of every month at the Chilliwack-Vedder Branch 295 Legion (Stefan Luciani/Chilliwack Progress)

Camaraderie of surviving veterans in Chilliwack like ‘second family’

Membership of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry waning, recruitment a challenge

 

Ronald Brewer poses in uniform in 1941 (Photo by Gillian Francis)

B.C. family finds surprising connection during sailing stop at Juno Beach

Fernie’s Yuills found their family’s Second World War history while on a European sailing trip

 

Wendy Jocko, a retired sergeant, is photoghed with her son James McMullin, 38, a veteran with The Royal Canadian Regiment, who died in October. His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, which is Indigenous Veterans Day, in Pikwakanagan, Ont. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Canadian Indigenous soldiers share reasons why they serve

Trio tell their stories as Nov. 8 marks National Aboriginal Veterans Day

 

Teddy and Indy are new arrivals at the Honour Ranch, and will be part of the equine program offered there. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

How a $10,000 toque is helping horses heal B.C.’s hurt heroes

Honour Ranch near Ashcroft set to offer equine therapy program to help first responders

Teddy and Indy are new arrivals at the Honour Ranch, and will be part of the equine program offered there. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)
Asylum seeker Taiba Nuri is followed by her husband Mahamed Yusef Niazi, from Afghanistan, carrying their seven-month-old daughter Sahaba, cross the border at Roxham Road from New York into Canada Friday March 24, 2023 in Champlain, NY.. The federal government plans to fight allegations of discrimination for the disparate way it approached the Ukrainian and Afghan refugee crises on a single legal front, as another Canadian-Afghan sues for the right to rescue their family from the Taliban.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Canadian who served in Afghanistan files discrimination lawsuit against feds

This follows a case filed in May by 2 former language, culture advisers who served in the military

Asylum seeker Taiba Nuri is followed by her husband Mahamed Yusef Niazi, from Afghanistan, carrying their seven-month-old daughter Sahaba, cross the border at Roxham Road from New York into Canada Friday March 24, 2023 in Champlain, NY.. The federal government plans to fight allegations of discrimination for the disparate way it approached the Ukrainian and Afghan refugee crises on a single legal front, as another Canadian-Afghan sues for the right to rescue their family from the Taliban.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
War medals were fished out of the Sumas River near Abbotsford and the teenager who found them is hoping to find the rightful owner. (Submitted photo)

Teen pulls box of war medals out of Abbotsford river while fishing

First and Second World War medals were in a small plastic box with duct tape on it

War medals were fished out of the Sumas River near Abbotsford and the teenager who found them is hoping to find the rightful owner. (Submitted photo)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland arrive to deliver the federal budget in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, March 28, 2023. The Royal Canadian Legion is asking the Trudeau government for more details about its promise of more money to address longstanding delays and backlogs for ill and injured veterans. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Veterans’ groups call for answers as budget stokes memories of past cuts

Organizations seek clarity on how the federal budget will affect ill and injured ex-soldiers

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland arrive to deliver the federal budget in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, March 28, 2023. The Royal Canadian Legion is asking the Trudeau government for more details about its promise of more money to address longstanding delays and backlogs for ill and injured veterans. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
At 102 years old, Peter Chance had the opportunity to take to the skies again – and even take the controls – thanks to friend Paul Seguna and the Victoria Flying Club. (Courtesy of Paul Seguna)

‘Excitement beyond measure’: B.C. vet takes to the skies again to pilot a plane at 102

Peter Chance took flight, and the controls, thanks to friend Paul Seguna and the Victoria Flying Club

At 102 years old, Peter Chance had the opportunity to take to the skies again – and even take the controls – thanks to friend Paul Seguna and the Victoria Flying Club. (Courtesy of Paul Seguna)
Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence Lawrence MacAulay rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday, March 25, 2022. A union representing thousands of Veterans Affairs Canada employees is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to replace MacAulay.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

Rehab contract sparks fresh battle between veterans and the Liberal government

Union of Veterans Affairs Employees says major issues remain

Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence Lawrence MacAulay rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday, March 25, 2022. A union representing thousands of Veterans Affairs Canada employees is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to replace MacAulay.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle
Rowena Rizzotti. (Submitted photo)

Surrey’s $312M Legion Veterans Village first of its kind in Canada

‘We just made what people thought would be impossible, possible,’ says project lead Rowena Rizzotti

Rowena Rizzotti. (Submitted photo)
Nishika Jardine

Veterans Ombud visits Vancouver, Island, Okanagan on B.C. trip

RCMP, CAF and veterans invited to town halls

Nishika Jardine
Wounded Warriors runners arrive in Port Alberni during an awreness event on March 3, 2022. The organization offers support programs for veterans, first responders and their families. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Course aims to fill gap by training therapists on needs of veterans, first responders

Many front-line workers say the practices of conventional therapists aren’t working for them

Wounded Warriors runners arrive in Port Alberni during an awreness event on March 3, 2022. The organization offers support programs for veterans, first responders and their families. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Physician assistants are valued members of other provinces’ healthcare systems, but the B.C. government does not recognize their qualifications. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

Military and university-trained physician assistants rejected by B.C.’s health system

They are ready and willing, but due to provincial policies, these healthcare workers are not able

Physician assistants are valued members of other provinces’ healthcare systems, but the B.C. government does not recognize their qualifications. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE
Veteran Stephen LaSalle is shown in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. When LaSalle first injured his foot in a military training exercise, he had only heard the stories about what it was like to deal with Veterans Affairs Canada. Five years later, the reservist naval lieutenant can talk about the experience firsthand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Frustration, anxiety persist as Liberals claim success on wait times for veterans

An estimated 23,000 veterans are waiting for their disability claims to be processed by the federal department

Veteran Stephen LaSalle is shown in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. When LaSalle first injured his foot in a military training exercise, he had only heard the stories about what it was like to deal with Veterans Affairs Canada. Five years later, the reservist naval lieutenant can talk about the experience firsthand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The Victoria Cross Medal belonging to Pte. James Peter Robertson is seen in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Tilston Memorial Collection of Canadian Military Medals, Canadian War Museum

‘War hero of the family’: Canadian War Museum acquires 3 more Victoria Crosses

Museum now has 36 of the 73 Victoria Crosses awarded to Canadians in the First World War

The Victoria Cross Medal belonging to Pte. James Peter Robertson is seen in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Tilston Memorial Collection of Canadian Military Medals, Canadian War Museum
Veteran Stephen LaSalle is shown in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. When LaSalle first injured his foot in a military training exercise, he had only heard the stories about what it was like to deal with Veterans Affairs Canada. Five years later, the reservist naval lieutenant can talk about the experience firsthand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Frustration, anxiety persist as Liberals claim success on wait times for veterans

More than 23,000 veterans have disability claims that are waiting to be processed

Veteran Stephen LaSalle is shown in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. When LaSalle first injured his foot in a military training exercise, he had only heard the stories about what it was like to deal with Veterans Affairs Canada. Five years later, the reservist naval lieutenant can talk about the experience firsthand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Chief Petty Officer First Class (retired) Jake McDavid stands in Ottawa, on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Veterans’ parade returns to national Remembrance Day after two-year hiatus

Parade was cancelled the past two years due to health concerns associated with the COVID-19

Chief Petty Officer First Class (retired) Jake McDavid stands in Ottawa, on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Retired Staff Sgt.-Maj. Kathy Rochlitz (left), Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, Craig Thompson, Dave Sinclair and Norm Scott pose for a photo after presenting the first poppy at Government House on Oct. 25. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

B.C. lieutenant governor presented with first poppy to kick off 2022 campaign

Funds raised from annual Royal Canadian Legion poppy campaign supports veterans

Retired Staff Sgt.-Maj. Kathy Rochlitz (left), Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, Craig Thompson, Dave Sinclair and Norm Scott pose for a photo after presenting the first poppy at Government House on Oct. 25. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Langley’s Charlie Farquharson has created a second song in honour of Canada’s veterans, this time for organizers of the annual veterans walk held on Saturday, Sept. 24. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Student creates song to honour veterans

Was requested by organizers of Canadian Walk for Veterans

Langley’s Charlie Farquharson has created a second song in honour of Canada’s veterans, this time for organizers of the annual veterans walk held on Saturday, Sept. 24. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
Medical marijuana is shown in Toronto, Nov. 5, 2017. An internal audit outlining significant problems with Ottawa’s administration of hundreds of millions of dollars in medical marijuana for veterans is being met with shock and concern by mental-health providers and others.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

‘Wild West’: Audit on veterans’ medical cannabis sparks calls for oversight, research

Probe sparks calls to better protect at-risk veterans and taxpayer dollars

Medical marijuana is shown in Toronto, Nov. 5, 2017. An internal audit outlining significant problems with Ottawa’s administration of hundreds of millions of dollars in medical marijuana for veterans is being met with shock and concern by mental-health providers and others.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy