Veterans

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

 

Former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour, and Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, middle, release the final report of the Independent External Comprehensive Review into Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces in Ottawa on Monday, May 30, 2022. Also in attendance is Chief of the Defence Staff, General Wayne Eyre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

NDP MPs introduce bills to help survivors of sexual assault within armed forces

Bills would establish Office of Ombud, remove military’s jurisdiction in sexual assault cases

 

Knut Moeskau wanted to join the Canadian Airforce during the Second World War. He was rejected for having acne. He went on to serve in the Canadian Technical Training Core. (Submitted/Broadmead Care)

‘Boy soldier’ recalls the hullabaloo at the end of Second World War

Saanich veteran enlisted in the Canadian Technical Training Core at age 17

 

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

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
Dave Horrocks served in the British Army and was stationed in West Berlin, Northern Ireland and Kenya in the 1960s. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

Qualicum Beach veteran recalls West Berlin and Northern Ireland

Dave Horrocks served in British Army with Royal Engineers

Dave Horrocks served in the British Army and was stationed in West Berlin, Northern Ireland and Kenya in the 1960s. (Kevin Forsyth photo)
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
Darryl Cattell flies the Operation Pegasus Jump flag into the drop zone. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

Island’s Operation Pegasus skydive helps front-line survivors confront trauma

‘We are still here, we are still warriors, we are still fighting’

Darryl Cattell flies the Operation Pegasus Jump flag into the drop zone. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
Left, Ted Usher beside the original, delapitated grave; right, the new marker for Edwin Harbottle. Photos supplied

Comox Last Post Fund volunteer goes extra mile to restore veteran’s grave

Comox Last Post Fund volunteer Ted Usher has gone the extra mile,…

  • Jul 2, 2023
Left, Ted Usher beside the original, delapitated grave; right, the new marker for Edwin Harbottle. Photos supplied
Cadets march into the candlelight tribute at Esquimalt, God’s Acre veterans cemetery. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

VIDEO: Youth attendance increases for Esquimalt candlelight tribute

‘We have to help teach the junior members of our community to remember the sacrifices that were made’

Cadets march into the candlelight tribute at Esquimalt, God’s Acre veterans cemetery. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
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
North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney (left) in Gallipoli, Turkey in September. Photo courtesy Facebook/Rachel Blaney

North Island-Powell River MP questions federal government’s Veterans Affairs contract with Loblaw-owned company

Federal government outsourced contract to private company in 2021

North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney (left) in Gallipoli, Turkey in September. Photo courtesy Facebook/Rachel Blaney
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’: Sidney veteran takes to the skies once again 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
Nishika Jardine

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

RCMP, CAF and veterans invited to town halls

Nishika Jardine
Nishika Jardine

Veterans Ombud visits Vernon, Vancouver, Island

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
Wreaths ornamented with poppies are laid at the cenotaph at Memorial Park during Esquimalt’s Remembrance Day ceremony on Friday (Nov. 11) morning. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Esquimalt honours Canada’s fallen, veterans on Remembrance Day

Hundreds take part in parade, ceremony at Memorial Park cenotaph

Wreaths ornamented with poppies are laid at the cenotaph at Memorial Park during Esquimalt’s Remembrance Day ceremony on Friday (Nov. 11) morning. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)