Chaplain’s Corner

7 January 2015
The Rev. Art Turnbull, Branch 15 Chaplain

Another new year stretches out before us as the days slowly become brighter, omens of better things yet to come.

I often reflect at this time of year on our human nature and existence. I do so in terms of our material body, our thinking mind, our emotive emotions, and our mysterious spirit. Whenever one of these four components (body, mind, emotions, and spirit) is out of sorts, so the other components are affected in a negative way. Keeping the whole in reasonable balance and good shape requires some attention. If I do not exercise, my body becomes lazy, but so does my mind. If I do not engage in meaningful discussion, I become an emotional bore. If I do not look after my spiritual welfare, I can also be left with a physical incapacity that I cannot overcome. When I was growing up, elders used to spout off, “Do everything in moderation.” That saying still applies to me today. Perhaps it applies to all of us.

So as we move into this year as veterans and Legion members there are a variety of interests that need to be attended to as they affect all of our being. I shall comment on a couple.

Any veteran of WW II who served at least one day in uniform is entitled to the new 75 year medal. Information on this medal is elsewhere on our website and in Legion Magazine. What I want to say is that all of you WW II vets are aware of your age, your physical reality, and the state of your health. Take pride in applying for and wearing the new medal. Thank you for a job well done.

The recent news of changes at the leadership of the Veterans Affairs Canada brings hope for a better response to the needs of all veterans. As Legion members we have a responsibility to ensure that all veterans get the necessary resources and support that each one may need. The emotional and mental injuries carried by many young veterans, and known to too many older veterans, require immediate care. An amount of money to address mental health resources that is spread over fifty years is not the answer needed by a Canadian soldier who is an Afghanistan veteran contemplating suicide today. Be aware and ask questions. Speak to your member of parliament, or at least send a message with your concern expressed. Postage is still free if mailed to Ottawa to any member of parliament.

Many of us had the privilege to serve time in Camp Gagetown during the Cold War. If you were there from 1956 to about the mid-1970s and have any health concerns, get in touch with VAC and register. A Legion service officer can help with this. Why? Well it seems that a fine chemical called Agent Orange was used without our knowledge. This chemical agent has a debilitating effect on human bodies. The government recognizes this now, and if you have been affected, there are resources available to you, a recognition that being in the military carried many risks. Though the symptoms may be physical, the after-effect is also one of spiritual and moral application.

I guess that for this January 2015 column I am really saying, “Take care of your self in body, mind, emotion, and spirit.” Our Legion mission statement requires us to be in good shape if we are ” to promote Remembrance.