When Haliburton vet Nick Bryant came out of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1995, he had no idea just how much support was available to him through Veterans Affairs (VAC).
After serving 27 years in the Army, Bryant suffered with hearing loss and tinnitus. Years later, after becoming an active member at the Haliburton Legion, Bryant found out he qualified for compensation. He received a lump sum, which has helped him live his life in recent years. In the future, he expects to tap into programs that assist with housekeeping and snow removal.
The Legion is hosting a seminar March 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Marg Rohmann of Legion Ontario’s central command coming to town to inform people about the kind of benefits available to them.
“If you had some sort of injury that was incurred while serving, you could get some help. There may be pension benefits available to you,” Bryant said. “There’s also money for hearing, dental – almost anything medical. There are also supports that will help you live a more comfortable life – all sorts of home care.”
About 20 people attended last year’s session, with Bryant saying he assisted 16 more throughout the year.
One person got money to pay off arrears that helped re-establish a hydro connection at their home, another was given fuel for heating purposes. Legion president Mike Waller said one man, who didn’t realize he was a veteran, has received all sorts of support that has helped him turn his life around.
“It’s really nice to be able to do this – now we want to get the word out to help as many people as we can,” Waller said. “All of our veterans deserve it, whether they think they do or not.”
Bryant said money is also available for mental health supports – particularly important for those who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other ailments.
While Bryant said vets are renowned for foregoing support, he noted money is set aside each year purely to fund this initiative.
He wanted to set the record straight, too, on what constitutes a veteran.
“Everybody thinks a military vet is someone who went off to war, but it isn’t. A veteran is a person who has completed basic training, either in the armed forces or in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and has been discharged with anything other than a dishonourable discharge,” Bryant said.
“There are also some police forces who qualify, cadet instructors that were paid for their services… and it’s not just the veterans themselves, these supports also extend to their spouses, dependents and caregivers.
“You don’t even have to be a legion member to qualify. We’re here for all veterans. And even if you don’t need help today, knowledge is power – so come out and learn about what you may be entitled to in the future,” he added.
Waller asked that anyone interested in attending RSVP by contacting 705-8549237. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled for March 29.
