National Day of Honour: tribute or photo op?
This Friday, the families of soldiers killed during the war in Afghanistan have been invited to breakfast with the Prime Minister as part of the "National Day of Honour" to recognize the fallen. But some are coming forward to say the event is poorly planned, lacks transparency, and is more in the name of publicity for corporations and the Harper...
This Friday, the families of soldiers killed during the war in Afghanistan have been invited to breakfast with the Prime Minister as part of the "National Day of Honour" to recognize the fallen. But some are coming forward to say the event is poorly planned, lacks transparency, and is more in the name of publicity for corporations and the Harper government than in the name of Canadian soldiers. Among those are Tim Goddard, the father of Capt. Nichola Goddard, the first female Canadian soldier killed in combat.
Mr. Goddard tells Carol that he hopes that by involving corporate sponsors, the military can spend the money it saves on helping veterans with PTSD. He says if his daughter had survived the war with PTSD, and "was treated the way you hear people are being treated, I would be incoherent with rage." You can listen to their conversation below.
Mr. Goddard's feeling is a sentiment Michelle Wolowidnyk, can understand. Her husband, Afghanistan veteran Master Corporal Kristian Wolowidnyk, has struggled with PTSD, and is about to be medically released from the military for being unfit to work - and she says he isn't getting the support he needs, even with a suicide attempt. LIsten to her story below.