Executive Vet News Upcoming Events Upcoming Parades  Snapshots   Legion Events Calender Branch 003 Yahoo Group Bar Info Membership Charities Links Home Contact Us Vetnews   Passchendaele   From July until November 1917, the third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) waged.  For more information,     Click Here On August 9, 1974, Canada suffered its worst single loss of peacekeepers when a Buffalo Aircraft was shot down over Lebanon.  For more information, Click Here           New Table of Disabilities The 2006 edition of the Table of Disabilities has been approved by the Minister of Veterans Affairs for implementation on April 1, 2006.  For more information, Click Here On April 1, 2006, the Government of Canada brought into force the New Veterans Charter  to better meet the needs of modern-day Canadian Forces (CF) members, Veterans and their families as they transition from military to civilian life. It is the most profound change to Veterans' benefits in more than half a century. Monthly disability pensions already in pay at implementation will not be affected or altered by the new system. For more information, call VAC toll-free: 1-866-522-2122.       Canada Mourns the Passing of One of its Last Known First World War Veterans Ottawa - The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today expressed on behalf of all Canadians his condolences to the family of Canadian First World War Veteran, Lloyd Clemett. Mr. Clemett died late last night at age 107. "Mr. Clemett was a remarkable man who remained as proud to be a Canadian as when he wore his uniform," said Minister Thompson. "In his determination to defend our freedom, he reflected the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who did extraordinary things for peace, democracy and the rule of law. It is people like Mr. Clemett who contributed to making our country what it is. We are forever grateful. Their contributions and legacy will never be forgotten." Lloyd Clemett was born December 10, 1899 in Toronto, Ontario. He was Canada's oldest of the last three known First World War Veterans. He was also one of Ontario's last two known Veterans from the First World War. With the passing of Mr. Clemett, Canada has only two known Veterans of the First World War: P. Dwight Wilson of Toronto, Ontario and John F. Babcock of Spokane, Washington. Mr. Lloyd Clemett, First World War Veteran, biography is attached   The 7th Book of Remembrance In the Service of Canada The Seventh Book of Remembrance was dedicated on November 11, 2005. It was created to honour the valiant men and women in the Canadian Forces who gave their lives in service to Canada since October 1947, with the exception of those commemorated in the Korean Book of Remembrance. To date, the names of 1,300 Canadian Forces members have been entered into the Seventh Book of Remembrance. The Seventh Book of Remembrance is unique because it is a living document that will be used to commemorate those who have given their lives "In the Service of Canada" for generations to come. Canadians are encouraged to continue contributing to the Seventh Book and the Canadian Virtual War Memorial. For information on how to submit an individual's name for the Seventh Book, please visit the "Continuing to Build the Seventh Book of Remembrance" section of  Veterans Affairs Canada  Frequently Asked Questions. Families of deceased Canadian Forces members - and members of the Canadian public - can search the Canadian Virtual War Memorial for those commemorated in the Seventh Book. Notice to visitors to the Canadian National Vimy Memorial Site Important Visitor Information The monument at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France is almost 70 years old. The passage of time, wear and tear and harsh weather conditions have led to the monument's deterioration, despite regular upkeep over the years. Its restoration requires more than routine maintenance. The rehabilitation plan for Vimy Memorial is part of the Canadian Battlefield Memorials Restoration Project, directed by Canada's Department of Veterans Affairs in cooperation with other Canadian departments, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, consultants and specialists in military history. The 13 Canadian First World War battlefield memorials are accordingly undergoing repair and restoration work, which started in the fall of 2001 and has already been completed in many cases. The rehabilitation and restoration of the Vimy Memorial started in December 2004 and is slated for completion in 2006. Furthermore, as the Memorial has been designated a national historic site of Canada, the work will also respect the historical and cultural integrity of the original monument design by the artist and architect, Walter S. Allward. Starting in January 2005, the monument itself will therefore become inaccessible for security reasons. However, the rest of the Memorial site will continue to operate normally, including the guided tours, and visitors are therefore invited to focus on the subways or tunnels and restored trenches. Moreover, while the monument is inaccessible, there will be guided tours of the two Canadian cemeteries on the site. Alternate experiences may also be offered to visitors from 2005 to 2006. Restoration updates will be provided on this site as they become available. Contact Information at Vimy, in France: Vimy Ridge National Historic Site of Canada 62580 VIMY, FRANCE 03 21 50 68 68 Fax: 03 21 58 58 34 E-mail: Vimy.Memorial@vac-acc.gc.ca Canada's most impressive tribute overseas to those Canadians who fought and gave their lives in the First World War is the majestic and inspiring Canadian National Vimy Memorial which overlooks the Douai Plain from the highest point of Vimy Ridge, about eight kilometres northeast of Arras. The Memorial does more than mark the site of the engagement that Canadians were to remember with more pride than any other operation of the First World War. It stands as a tribute to all who served their country in battle in that four-year struggle and particularly to those who gave their lives. At the base of the Memorial, these words appear in French and in English: TO THE VALOUR OF THEIR COUNTRYMEN IN THE GREAT WAR AND IN MEMORY OF THEIR SIXTY THOUSAND DEAD THIS MONUMENT IS RAISED BY THE PEOPLE OF CANADA Click on picture for larger image. (66 K) Inscribed on the ramparts of the Memorial are the names of 11,285 Canadian soldiers who were posted as "missing, presumed dead" in France. The land for the battlefield park, 91.18 hectares (250 acres) in extent, was (as stated on a plaque at the entrance to the Memorial) "the free gift in perpetuity of the French nation to the people of Canada". Eleven thousand tonnes of concrete and masonry were required for the base of the Memorial and 5,500 tonnes of "trau" stone were brought from Yugoslavia for the pylons and the sculptured figures. Construction of the massive work began in 1925 and 11 years later, on July 26, 1936, King Edward VIII unveiled the monument. Horticultural experts created the park surrounding the Memorial. Canadian trees and shrubs were planted in great masses to resemble the woods and forests of our country. Around the Memorial, beyond the grassy slopes of the approaches, are wooded parklands. Trenches and tunnels have been restored and preserved and the visitor can picture the magnitude of the task that faced the Canadian Corps on that distant dawn when history was made.   Where in the World? No matter where you live in the world VAC wants to know! Each year, we routinely need to track down approximately 2,000 clients because we don't know where they are. If you move, go into long term care, or are deployed, you need to advise us of a change of address. Otherwise, you may end up missing out on important services and benefits. Employees in our Proactive Screening Unit will locate you, but if we are unsuccessful we will put a hold on your cheque/benefit. We do that to protect your best interests. Once we hear from you we will happily reinstate your account. So stay in touch!   Chemical Warfare Agent Testing Recognition Program The Program Setting things right A recognition program will offer payments to Canadian veterans who volunteered to participate in chemical-warfare experiments, mainly in the Second World War era, in Suffield, Alberta, and Ottawa. Each eligible veteran will be offered a one-time payment of $24,000 in recognition of their service to Canada. The amount is comparable to previous payments to Canadian veterans. This payment is in addition to pension benefits to which these veterans may be eligible. Recognition At least as important as the monetary aspect, however, is that these veterans are now being recognized for their sacrifice and service. Eligibility Payment under this program is available to any veteran who: was a member of the Canadian military; volunteered and participated as a human test subject in chemical warfare agent experiments at: Suffield, Alberta, from 1941 to the mid-1970s (although most of the testing took place in the Second World War era); or Chemical Warfare Laboratories, Ottawa, 1941-45. In cases where the veteran is deceased, certain surviving beneficiaries may be eligible. Administration & application An office has been established at DND to expedite payments for the chemical warfare test volunteers, and to refer those eligible to Veterans Affairs Canada for pension follow-up. The office will be fully functional by April 5 this year, and will remain open for applications for two years. The application process will be straightforward, open, veteran-centred, and will include a provision for appeals. Eligible veterans are encouraged to begin the application process by calling toll-free 1-800-883-6094 (Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm EST) or e-mailing recognition-application@forces.gc.ca From there, the veteran will be sent an application form, which, once returned, will allow DND to check the applicant's information against research data to determine eligibility. Pension benefits continue Until this new measure was announced, chemical warfare-experiment participants who were injured-like any Canadian veteran injured in service-were eligible for disability pension benefits through Veterans Affairs Canada. That is still true, and veterans may still apply for, or continue to receive, disability pension benefits in addition to any payment under the new recognition program. The recognition program also includes a renewed commitment by Veterans Affairs Canada to expedite any new or current disability pension claims in this matter. Veterans Affairs Canada wants to reassure all veterans that the new emphasis on pension claims for chemical warfare experiment participants will in no way hinder the processing of any veteran's pension claim in any matter. Eligible veterans not already in receipt of a pension in this matter are encouraged to contact Veterans Affairs Canada toll-free at 1-866-522-2122 (English) or 1-866-522-2022 (French). Program cost It is estimated that the recognition program will cost approximately $50-million in total for payments and administration. This is a significant sum, but fiscal concerns must be weighed against the need to acknowledge exceptional service rendered by Canada's veterans. The History Canada's Role It is estimated that approximately 3700 members of the Canadian military volunteered to participate as human subjects in secret chemical warfare agent experiments, held in Suffield, Alberta (from 1941 to the mid-1970s, but mainly in the Second World War era) and at Ottawa (1941-45). The experimentation was driven by wartime urgency and the need to build defensive capability to weapons that had been used with terrible results in the First World War, which was at that time still a recent and painful memory. Getting it out in the open Knowledge of the experiments was no longer secret after the early 1970s, and the use of human volunteers as test subjects has been known since the late 1980s. In addition to Government disclosure on the subject, the story of the chemical test veterans has been the subject of at least one book, a documentary film, and numerous items in newspapers and on television and radio over the past many years. In a ceremony at Suffield in May 2000-in the presence of many chemical-test veterans-then-Minister of National Defence Eggleton dedicated a plaque which read: "In recognition of those who suffered so that their comrades in arms might be spared the horrors of chemical warfare-they also served." Some veterans who participated in chemical warfare experiments have commented that they felt constrained in coming forward to seek benefits due to secrecy conditions at the time of the tests. Veterans who may have been involved in chemical warfare experiments should feel reassured: secrecy conditions no longer apply for purposes of talking to government representatives for seeking benefits. Reaching out As part of a comprehensive review of Canada's chemical and biological defence activities, DND established in 1988 a telephone 'hotline' to handle inquiries from those who had participated in chemical-agent tests. The initiative was announced by the Minister of National Defence and promoted in national media. The hotline remained in place for two years and resulted in 129 calls-including 51 from callers concerned about activities in the 1940s-but was eventually discontinued due to low demand. VAC issued letters to these individuals informing them they could apply for a pension if they felt they had a disability possibly related to the testing. VAC also informed this group that the Bureau of Pension Advocates (BPA) could be contacted for assistance with preparing claims. Research efforts An archival search by the Department of National Defence has identified thousands of names of veterans involved in the experiments at Suffield and Ottawa. DND and Veterans Affairs Canada research teams have been working together for months now to track down addresses for personnel involved in testing who are not currently on record with VAC.                               (Veterans Affairs Canada) Veterans Affairs Canada with Government of Ontario to Conduct Continuing Care Research Project Brockville - The Honourable Albina Guarnieri, Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Honourable John Gerretsen, Minister Responsible for Seniors, announced today that their governments will be collaborating in a significant research study on seniors' care. The project, which will be led by Veterans Affairs Canada, will compare the outcomes and costs of providing home care, supportive housing and residential care to seniors. The Government of Ontario will contribute by providing expertise and coordinating the involvement of its continuing care service providers. "For more than a decade, Veterans Affairs Canada has been a leader in the delivery of home care to better serve those who have served Canada. Today, knowledge gained from helping thousands of Veterans will help inform and shape future home care and continuing care policies for Canada=s Veterans and seniors," said Minister Guarnieri. "Seniors have contributed greatly to the quality of life that we have the privilege of enjoying today", said Minister Gerretsen. "It is important to promote the health and well-being of seniors, as seniors deserve to live in safety and security and as independently as possible with the supports they need." This week, both Ministers attended the national symposium organized by the Canadian Seniors Partnership (CSP) which brought representatives from all three levels of government, universities, national and provincial seniors and caregivers organizations together to find ways to improve delivery of programs and services to Canada's seniors. The Honourable Tony Ianno, the Federal Minister of State for Families and Caregivers, said the study would help design and evaluate programs for seniors and those who care for them. "Today, nearly one-third of seniors receive care for long-term health problems, with much of this care being provided informally by family and friends, in addition to formal caregiver supports," noted Minister Ianno. Under its Veterans Independence Program (VIP), Veterans Affairs Canada provides one of the most comprehensive and advanced home care programs in the world, enabling eligible Veterans to live independently and with dignity in their own homes. As part of the research project, three groups of Veterans in Ontario will be compared: VIP clients living at home, VIP clients in assisted living settings and clients in residential long-term care. Comparative costs, satisfaction with care, and quality of life will be analyzed as well as the contribution that home support services play in keeping Veterans and seniors in the community and the factors which lead to residential care. Funding for this project will be covered in VAC=s research budget. Under the VIP Program, first introduced in 1981, Veterans may be eligible, based on their particular circumstances and health needs to receive grounds maintenance, housekeeping, personal care, transportation, professional nursing care, home adaptation, and nutritional and ambulatory services. As of March 31, 2004, there were over 39,000 VIP clients in Ontario. This project builds on the progress already achieved by initiatives such as the Collaborative Seniors Portal Network (CSPN), a Portal Network, which provides seniors with easier access to information about government services and programs. The CSPN was first launched in Brockville in October 2003 and, since then, other cities including Sudbury and Hamilton have passed motions to approve their participation in the Network. The Canadian Seniors Partnership Symposium brings together federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and non-governmental officials committed to improving access to and integration of programs and services to better meet the needs of seniors, Veterans and their families in the 21st Century.   Special Duty Service Legislation Approved The Government of Canada has approved legislation that improves and expands benefits to members of the Canadian Forces (CF) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who put themselves in harm's way to serve their country at home or anywhere in the world. Bill C-31 was passed by Parliament on June 19, 2003. Under the new legislation, more comprehensive and timely benefits will be available during Special Duty Service. This involves designated operations which could include armed conflict, peacekeeping missions, anti-terrorism activities, disaster relief or search and rescue activities. Special Duty Service includes service in a designated Special Duty Area (SDA) or a new type of service called a Special Duty Operation (SDO). A SDA is a specific geographic area outside Canada where members may be involved in operations that expose them to conditions of elevated risk. SDOs may expose members to the same level of risk as SDAs but are not confined to a geographic area. Under the new legislation: CF and RCMP members who are deployed to an area or an operation that involves elevated risk will be covered round the clock for disability pension purposes should they die or suffer from a disability; coverage begins when members depart to a SDA or SDO and ends when they return. This includes periods of authorized leave while on such deployment; and, any training members need for the express purpose of service in a SDA or SDO is covered. The enhanced coverage applies to CF and RCMP members who served after September 11, 2001. Courtesy of Salute Magazine     Tpr. Frederick Bowen Leo Watson         Comrade Bob Land brought in a Queens South Africa Medal that his uncle found in a garbage can in Victoria, BC forty years ago.  The name on the edge of the medal is Pte. F.B.L. Watson, NS Wales MR. I believe that the medal belonged to a Tpr. Frederick Bowen Leo Watson who was born in 1881 in Bombala, New South Wales, Australia.  He was an electrician by trade and he fought in the Boer war with the 2 New South Wales Mounted Rifles.        In March, 1916, he was in Canada and he signed up with the 172nd Battalion of the CEF in Kamloops, B.C.  He stated that his home was Mara Camp B.C.                              (Attestation Papers.  Click to enlarge)                                                                                                      He was married to Elizabeth Gilfillan on September 7, 1918 in Vancouver, B.C.  He died in Saanich, B.C. in 1956. Branch 183 would like to return this medal to a family member if possible.  If you have any information, please  e-mail us.     Memories to Share? Every year, hundreds of veterans are invited to speak to students and community groups in order to share their military memories with young Canadians. To help prepare for this, many veterans participate in The Memory Project which is offered by The Dominion Institute. During the fall of 2003, Veterans Affairs Canada partnered with The Dominion Institute to hold speakers' workshops in various cities across the country. Veterans of the Second World War, the Korean War, or peacekeeping operations can learn more about the workshops by calling 1-866-701-1867 (toll-free). To learn more about The Memory Project, or read stories that have already been posted by veterans and students, please visit www.thememoryproject.com and click on the Peace and War feature. Article reprinted from Salute Magazine VAC On-site Members of the Canadian Forces who need information or support from Veterans Affairs Canada can now get help on-site at a number of CF locations across the country. This help is available to all CF members but may be particularly important to releasing members who are making the transition from military to civilian life. Each VAC team offers CF members a variety of important services. For example, some CF members may simply want to get information on VAC's programs and services. Others may require help in preparing a disability pension application or need access to more specialized services, such as professional counselling or medical treatment. To help ease the transition into civilian life, members of our on-site teams also will participate in transition interviews with releasing members to provide guidance on how our Department can be of assistance. To deliver on-site services to CF members, specially trained VAC Client Service Teams are in place in Halifax (with outreach to Greenwood), Gagetown, Montréal/St. Jean, Valcartier (with outreach to Bagotville), Ottawa, Petawawa, Kingston, Trenton, Toronto, Borden, Winnipeg, Edmonton (with outreach to Cold Lake) and Esquimalt (with outreach to Comox). To locate the VAC Client Service Team in any of the above mentioned locations, please call the VAC District Office nearest you. The telephone number is in the Government (or blue) pages of your local telephone book under Veterans. Article reprinted from Salute Magazine   For whom the bells toll For centuries, ship's bells have played both a practical and symbolic role in the life of naval vessels and their crews. One of the most memorable traditions for sailors and their families involves the use of ship's bells as baptismal fonts for shipboard christenings. Children of the ship's company baptized according to this custom can also have their names inscribed on the bell. Since the shipboard bell is considered such a significant part of the ship's equipment and history, this is both an honour and a privilege. Unfortunately, an individual searching for her or his name on a specific bell from a ship of Canada's Navy may be in for a time-consuming task. The business of tracking down the actual bell itself can prove difficult. Since a ship's bell is among its most significant artifacts, when a ship decommissions, there is demand from many quarters for this item. Bells may go to naval and civilian museums for safekeeping and display. In the case of Canadian ships named for towns and cities, the home community sometimes receives the bell, and shows it off at city hall. On occasion, bells end up in unlikely places like retail stores or even in private hands. To simplify things, the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum is posting information on the inscriptions from the bells it holds in its collection. This information includes the name of the ship, the child's name and the date of christening. Inscriptions from bells, which other institutions hold, are also listed where there is a connection to the Navy on the West Coast. For example, the Maritime Museum of British Columbia has three such bells on display in its Navy Gallery, from HMCS ANTIGONISH, HMCS ONTARIO (III), and HMCS YUKON (III). Those wishing to search for a name can visit the museum's Online Resources page at: www.navalandmilitarymuseum.org. Article reprinted from "The Maple Leaf"   VAC Seeks Nominees for Minister's Commendation    Rarely a day goes by that we don't hear about the tremendous work that is being done by veterans on behalf of veterans. To pay tribute to this work, Veterans Affairs Canada has established a new Minister's Commendation that will recognize individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the care and well-being of veterans or who have been instrumental in raising awareness of veterans' contributions, sacrifices and achievements. The Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation has been created by authority of the Governor General of Canada. It is intended primarily for veterans but, in rare circumstances, may be awarded to non-veterans. Nomination forms will soon be available through VAC's District and Regional Offices or you can download a form from our Web site. (Click Here) The deadline for this year's nominations is April 30. Anyone may nominate an individual for this honour. Nominations will be reviewed annually. Although not all nominees will be awarded the Commendation, we know that each nomination will be a treasured testament to the important contribution that one individual can make in the lives of others. Article reprinted from Salute Magazine   Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal If you have served in, or directly supported, a recognized peacekeeping or observer mission you may qualify to receive a Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal (CPSM). The medal also may be awarded posthumously to a deceased person's next-of-kin if the individual was killed while on a peacekeeping mission or if the individual was otherwise eligible for this award but now is deceased. An application form and the list of eligible missions is located on the Department of National Defence's Directorate of History and Heritage Web site under Honours and Awards (www.forces.ca/hr/dhh). Or you can contact: CPSM - DHH Building 347 Uplands Site 101 Colonel By Drive Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2 Facsimile: (613) 990-6289 Telephone: 1-877-741-8333 or (613) 990-4446 There are nearly 75,000 medals still to be distributed so please expect a delay of up to six months before you receive your medal. Please note: The following service does not qualify for a Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal: Korean War (June 27, 1950 - July 27, 1953); Arabian Gulf (August 2, 1990 - June 27, 1991); Somalia with the United Task Force (November 16, 1992 - June 30, 1993); Operation Allied Force (March 24 - June 10, 1999); and humanitarian missions.   Article reprinted from Salute Magazine   Disability Pensions: What You Need to Know Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) provides disability pensions to veterans and still-serving Canadian Forces members who suffer a medical disability related to their military service. We also have authority under the Pension Act to consider disability pension claims following the death of a veteran or a Canadian Forces member if he/she is survived by an eligible dependent, such as a spouse, a common-law partner or a child. In addition, we adjudicate disability claims and provide counselling services on behalf of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Disability pensions are NOT linked to your income, nor are they meant to replace income that you may have been receiving. We'd also like to point out that disability pensions provided by VAC under the Pension Act are tax-free in Canada. The Department does not issue T4s for this income and you are not required to report your VAC disability pension income on your income-tax return. Am I Eligible for a Disability Pension? To help answer this question, ask yourself two questions: Do I have a medical disability? If so: Is it related in some way to my service during the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War, a Special Duty Area, or to my Regular or Reserve Force service How to Apply Documenting Your Claim Article reprinted from Salute Magazine Home   .