2nd Annual Veterans Rendezvous July 7, 2012, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
http://canadianveteransadvocacy.com/Board2/index.php?topic=4359.0
2nd Annual Veterans Rendezvous July 7, 2012, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Website Link: http://www.canadianveteransadvocacy.com/rendezvous2012.html
July 7, 2012, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 124
Memorial Ride starts at 1100
Events in Niagara-on-the-Lake start at 1300
What a year it has been! Its time to relax, enjoy the summer, and celebrate our victories!
Everyone
has worked hard to get the message out -- from the Second Annual
Canadian Veterans National Day of Protest, the months of advocacy and
occasional protest against the proposed cuts to VAC in the Federal
Budget, Operation Positive Review in support of Dennis Manuge urging the
government to not appeal the favourable SISIP decision, and our most
recent Vigil for Veterans on the 68th anniversary of D-Day – and
considering certain decisions of the government it appears they are
starting to hear our united voice!
Some have questioned if we
have truly made a difference, and the answer is YES! Since our
incorporation in July 2011 – only one year ago – we have been able to:
* Obtain stakeholder status with Veterans Affairs Canada
* Help ensure the VAC budget was shielded from the 5-10% budget cuts
through constant advocacy, press coverage and a protest (ultimately the
budget was cut by only 1%)
* Secure multiple private meetings
with key ministers, senior public servants and related organizations
including VAC (Minister Steven Blaney and Deputy Minister Suzanne
Tining), VRAB (Chair John Larlee), MP Peter Stoffer (NDP Veterans
Affairs Critic), MP Sean Casey (Liberal Veterans Affairs Critic),
Minister of Justice Rob Nicholson, Jack Harris (NDP Defence Critic),
John McKay (Liberal Defence Critic), Sen. Don Plett, and Veterans
Ombudsman, Guy Parent
* Support Dennis Manuge and help ensure
the government did not appeal the favourable ruling in the SISIP claw
back class action lawsuit, leading an awareness campaign including
letter writing and House of Commons attendance with fellow vets. The
government chose not to appeal
* Raise awareness of the
transfer of the last VAC-controlled hospital, Ste. Anne’s, to provincial
control and push the federal government establish safeguards for the
existing high standard of care at this facility
*
Successfully stage a Second Annual Canadian Veterans National Day of
Protest as well as the recent Vigil for Veterans (in Ottawa and
Vancouver) receiving extensive national media coverage raising awareness
about the issues facing Canada’s modern veterans, including the
proposed class action lawsuit against the Lump Sum and the New Veterans
Charter
* Secure a coveted invitation to attend the 1812
Commemorative Military Muster at Ft York with the Prince of Wales, HRH
Prince Charles
* Become a nominating partner for the QEII Diamond Jubilee, with 80 medals for which to recommend recipients
Our
work is not over and we will continue to lend support to Mrs Sheila
Fynes at the Military Police Complaints Commission into the suicide of
her son, Cpl Stuart Langridge. We will also actively raise awareness
about the Equitas Society and the proposed class action lawsuit intended
to challenge the New Veterans Charter and the Lump Sum.
The
Canadian Veterans Advocacy looks forward to welcoming you to
Niagara-on-the-Lake to celebrate our Second Annual Veterans Rendezvous.
There will be something for everyone – bands, cars and motorcycles,
military vehicle displays, children's activities, BBQ and more.
Planning to Stay for the Weekend?
Niagara-on-the-Lake
is truly beautiful in July and there are so many things to do! The CVA
is in the process of negotiating special rates on accomodation for CF
members and Veterans during the summer high season. Once the details are
known, we will update the site and get the information out at our
Facebook group and page. Featured Events and Attractions "War of 1812 to
Afghanistan Memorial Ride" along the Niagara Parkway from Ft Erie to Ft
George.
Special Musical Guests Julian Austin and MCpl Elton Adams
Fort George National Historic Site of Canada including Butler’s Barracks home to the Lincoln and Welland Regimental Museum
A Military vehicle display courtesy of The Lincoln and Welland Regiment, featuring the The Vimy Gun and WW2 vehicles
Art display including military paintings by Don Ward and stained glass by Jacques de Winters
Car and motorcycle show
Pool, playground and picnic area for kids
Visiting
writers, Harry Watts, a WWII veteran and author of The Dispatch Rider,
and senior defence correspondent from the Canadian Press, Murray
Brewster, author of The Savage War
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Presentation
Detailed event schedule coming soon.
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Veterans Rendezvous set for next Saturday
By Ray Spiteri, Niagara Falls Review
Saturday, June 30, 2012 12:51:30 EDT PM
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2012/06/30/veterans-rendezvous-set-for-next-saturday
About 40 veterans and community advocates will receive Diamond Jubilee medals July 7 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Mike Blais, founder and president of Canadian Veterans Advocacy, and director James Green, look over one of the medals to be awarded. (Ray Spiteri/Niagara Falls Review)
About 40 veterans and community advocates will be awarded Diamond Jubilee medals during an event in Niagara-on-the-Lake next Saturday.
The Canadian Veterans Advocacy is hosting its second annual Veterans Rendezvous. This year it will be held at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 124 on King St., starting at 1 p.m.
In addition to bands, cars, motorcycles, military vehicle displays, children's activities and food, about 40 people from across Canada, many of them who served for their country overseas many times, will receive the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal.
The medal honours Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their fellow countrymen, their community, or to Canada over the years.
"We're a national organization and in a sense we have to ensure that those Jubilee medals are presented on a national basis from coast to coast to coast, which we have done," said Mike Blais, founder and president of Canadian Veterans Advocacy.
"But we also must recognize that the Canadian Veterans Advocacy has its roots in Niagara, and that there were many veterans who have been very supportive on a voluntary nature over the past two years to ensure our success."
The federal government gave CVA 80 medals to hand out after a nomination process. Of the 40 that will be presented next Saturday, Blais said about half will be received by Niagara residents.
"For us, it signifies a member of an exceptional effort on behalf of Canadians, on behalf of our veterans and those who serve today," he said.
"Many have answered the call, and we've tried to pick those who have done the most."
James Green, a director of CVA and a Second World War veteran, said he's glad that some recipients will be staunch supporters of Canada's military, including long-time participants in the annual local poppy campaign.
"I think they're going to be very receptive to it," said Green. "A lot of this stuff we did before ... (but) the ordinary citizen hasn't been included. I think this is a good idea."
Blais said he hopes to see between 300 and 400 people — possibly more if they bring their families — at the event. The legion is preparing for about 500.
"We're hoping to show them a good time," he said. "The legion is right next door to Butler's Barracks. There will be access to the museum. It's within walking distance to Fort George."
ray.spiteri@sunmedia.ca
Twitter: @RaySpiteri
* Canadian Veterans Advocacy has raised almost $10,000 for its Pennies for Veterans program, supported by Veterans Affairs Canada, designed to help veterans who are homeless or in need of assistance;
* Money will provide clothing, meals and rooms for veterans;
* CVA asks those who are interested to collect and bring their pennies to next Saturday's Veterans Rendezvous
CVA Web Site Details: http://www.canadianveteransadvocacy.com/rendezvous2012.html
By Ray Spiteri, Niagara Falls Review
Saturday, June 30, 2012 12:51:30 EDT PM
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2012/06/30/veterans-rendezvous-set-for-next-saturday
About 40 veterans and community advocates will receive Diamond Jubilee medals July 7 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Mike Blais, founder and president of Canadian Veterans Advocacy, and director James Green, look over one of the medals to be awarded. (Ray Spiteri/Niagara Falls Review)
About 40 veterans and community advocates will be awarded Diamond Jubilee medals during an event in Niagara-on-the-Lake next Saturday.
The Canadian Veterans Advocacy is hosting its second annual Veterans Rendezvous. This year it will be held at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 124 on King St., starting at 1 p.m.
In addition to bands, cars, motorcycles, military vehicle displays, children's activities and food, about 40 people from across Canada, many of them who served for their country overseas many times, will receive the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal.
The medal honours Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their fellow countrymen, their community, or to Canada over the years.
"We're a national organization and in a sense we have to ensure that those Jubilee medals are presented on a national basis from coast to coast to coast, which we have done," said Mike Blais, founder and president of Canadian Veterans Advocacy.
"But we also must recognize that the Canadian Veterans Advocacy has its roots in Niagara, and that there were many veterans who have been very supportive on a voluntary nature over the past two years to ensure our success."
The federal government gave CVA 80 medals to hand out after a nomination process. Of the 40 that will be presented next Saturday, Blais said about half will be received by Niagara residents.
"For us, it signifies a member of an exceptional effort on behalf of Canadians, on behalf of our veterans and those who serve today," he said.
"Many have answered the call, and we've tried to pick those who have done the most."
James Green, a director of CVA and a Second World War veteran, said he's glad that some recipients will be staunch supporters of Canada's military, including long-time participants in the annual local poppy campaign.
"I think they're going to be very receptive to it," said Green. "A lot of this stuff we did before ... (but) the ordinary citizen hasn't been included. I think this is a good idea."
Blais said he hopes to see between 300 and 400 people — possibly more if they bring their families — at the event. The legion is preparing for about 500.
"We're hoping to show them a good time," he said. "The legion is right next door to Butler's Barracks. There will be access to the museum. It's within walking distance to Fort George."
ray.spiteri@sunmedia.ca
Twitter: @RaySpiteri
* Canadian Veterans Advocacy has raised almost $10,000 for its Pennies for Veterans program, supported by Veterans Affairs Canada, designed to help veterans who are homeless or in need of assistance;
* Money will provide clothing, meals and rooms for veterans;
* CVA asks those who are interested to collect and bring their pennies to next Saturday's Veterans Rendezvous
CVA Web Site Details: http://www.canadianveteransadvocacy.com/rendezvous2012.html
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