-----Original Message----- Sent: 4-Oct-05 15:43 Subject: Serving and Retired Benevolent Charity group
Greetings,
S, Harold and I met today while Harold was in Ottawa. One of the things that we discussed is the development of a group with its sole aim being to support anything that will ensure quality of life for serving and retired military personnel and their families.
All military personnel and their families would be welcome to affiliate with this group as well as existing and future organisations that are associated with serving and retired military personnel. There would be no membership fees, although contributions would be accepted to help support charitable work (and minimal and controlled administration). Like United Way, associates would be asked to consider contributions.
Since charity begins at home, it would be advantageous to have benevolent group independent of the government, crown and any other group that actively supports quality of life programs. The theme could be to ensure that the serving and retired military and their families are treated with dignity and respect in recognition of their service to Canada.
One suggestion was to approach the Governor-General to be the leader of the group in a recognised capacity with an appropriate title. Another was to appoint a board of governors and offer positions on this board to serving and retired personnel including those already affiliated with existing groups such as the CPVA and RCL as well as individuals who would be willing to work on behalf of all serving and retired peronnel and their families. A small number of paid employees would administer the charities and finances with guidance and direction from the group leader, governors and any other entity incorporated to achieve the aim of the group.
While DND and VAC often talk about quality of life and the provision of benefits and services, this group would have only one purpose and that is to ensure that no serving and retired person or family member suffers in a country where universal social and welfare services are a important cornerstone of society.
There have been too many examples of the military and veterans living in poverty, lacking services and ignored. This is ironic given that Canada expects its military to serve with unlimited liability while imposing limitations on the standard of living supported by government and related agencies in return.
It should be the unalienable right of every serving and retired member to have access to a quality of life in recognition of their willingness to make the greatest possible sacrifice for Canada. This should not be influenced by rank, period of service, performance or any other factor. This is essential so that anyone who considers military service knows that their commitment will be recognised before it begins and with no limitations.
That being stated, it is reasonable to focus on providing the needy with the bulk of the resources so that all can enjoy a similar quality of life.
This is only a draft proposal and any comments are appreciated.
Remember charity begins at home and the only ones that can ensure it are those in the home.