Veterans

Albert Middleton turned 108 March 11th, celebrating with cake champagne and his kids. (Courtesy of Broadmead Care)

Canada’s oldest living veteran of the Second World War turns 108 in Saanich

Albert Middleton celebrated with cake and cheers from friends and family

 

At 102 years old, Peter Chance had the opportunity to take to the skies again – and even take the controls – thanks to friend Paul Seguna and the Victoria Flying Club. (Courtesy of Paul Seguna)

‘Excitement beyond measure’: Sidney veteran takes to the skies once again at 102

Peter Chance took flight, and the controls, thanks to friend Paul Seguna and the Victoria Flying Club

 

Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence Lawrence MacAulay rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday, March 25, 2022. A union representing thousands of Veterans Affairs Canada employees is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to replace MacAulay.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

Rehab contract sparks fresh battle between veterans and the Liberal government

Union of Veterans Affairs Employees says major issues remain

 

Rowena Rizzotti. (Submitted photo)

Surrey’s $312M Legion Veterans Village first of its kind in Canada

‘We just made what people thought would be impossible, possible,’ says project lead Rowena Rizzotti

Rowena Rizzotti. (Submitted photo)
Nishika Jardine

Veterans Ombud visits Vernon, Vancouver, Island

RCMP, CAF and veterans invited to town halls

Nishika Jardine
Wounded Warriors runners arrive in Port Alberni during an awreness event on March 3, 2022. The organization offers support programs for veterans, first responders and their families. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Course aims to fill gap by training therapists on needs of veterans, first responders

Many front-line workers say the practices of conventional therapists aren’t working for them

Wounded Warriors runners arrive in Port Alberni during an awreness event on March 3, 2022. The organization offers support programs for veterans, first responders and their families. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Physician assistants are valued members of other provinces’ healthcare systems, but the B.C. government does not recognize their qualifications. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

Military and university-trained physician assistants rejected by B.C.’s health system

They are ready and willing, but due to provincial policies, these healthcare workers are not able

Physician assistants are valued members of other provinces’ healthcare systems, but the B.C. government does not recognize their qualifications. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE
Veteran Stephen LaSalle is shown in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. When LaSalle first injured his foot in a military training exercise, he had only heard the stories about what it was like to deal with Veterans Affairs Canada. Five years later, the reservist naval lieutenant can talk about the experience firsthand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Frustration, anxiety persist as Liberals claim success on wait times for veterans

An estimated 23,000 veterans are waiting for their disability claims to be processed by the federal department

Veteran Stephen LaSalle is shown in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. When LaSalle first injured his foot in a military training exercise, he had only heard the stories about what it was like to deal with Veterans Affairs Canada. Five years later, the reservist naval lieutenant can talk about the experience firsthand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Wreaths ornamented with poppies are laid at the cenotaph at Memorial Park during Esquimalt’s Remembrance Day ceremony on Friday (Nov. 11) morning. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Esquimalt honours Canada’s fallen, veterans on Remembrance Day

Hundreds take part in parade, ceremony at Memorial Park cenotaph

Wreaths ornamented with poppies are laid at the cenotaph at Memorial Park during Esquimalt’s Remembrance Day ceremony on Friday (Nov. 11) morning. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Parade members are seen through the cenotaph at Veterans Memorial Park Friday, Nov. 11, during the 2022 Remembrance Day ceremony in Langford. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Langford remembers those who served

Veterans Memorial Park was overflowing as hundreds turned up to pay their respects

Parade members are seen through the cenotaph at Veterans Memorial Park Friday, Nov. 11, during the 2022 Remembrance Day ceremony in Langford. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Second World War veteran Gordie Quan as a young man. He will be available for a Q&A at the Chinese Canadian Museum on Nov. 11. (Courtesy of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum)

Chinese Canadian Museum hosts Victoria Second World War veterans for Remembrance Day

Gordie Quan, a local veteran, will share his experiences on Nov. 11

Second World War veteran Gordie Quan as a young man. He will be available for a Q&A at the Chinese Canadian Museum on Nov. 11. (Courtesy of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum)
The Victoria Cross Medal belonging to Pte. James Peter Robertson is seen in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Tilston Memorial Collection of Canadian Military Medals, Canadian War Museum

‘War hero of the family’: Canadian War Museum acquires 3 more Victoria Crosses

Museum now has 36 of the 73 Victoria Crosses awarded to Canadians in the First World War

The Victoria Cross Medal belonging to Pte. James Peter Robertson is seen in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Tilston Memorial Collection of Canadian Military Medals, Canadian War Museum
Stephane Marcotte and his service dog Sarge at Bear Mountain. (John Penner/ John’s Photography)

Saanich veteran Stephane Marcotte says Wounded Warriors Canada programs saved his life

For Remembrance Day, Marcotte wanted to emphasize the important role Wounded Warriors Canada plays

Stephane Marcotte and his service dog Sarge at Bear Mountain. (John Penner/ John’s Photography)
William Floyd poses for a photo at Veterans Memorial Lodge in Saanich. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

Saanich veteran says he enjoyed every moment of his 42 years with air force

William Floyd has been able to fly to over a dozen countries

William Floyd poses for a photo at Veterans Memorial Lodge in Saanich. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
Veteran Stephen LaSalle is shown in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. When LaSalle first injured his foot in a military training exercise, he had only heard the stories about what it was like to deal with Veterans Affairs Canada. Five years later, the reservist naval lieutenant can talk about the experience firsthand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Frustration, anxiety persist as Liberals claim success on wait times for veterans

More than 23,000 veterans have disability claims that are waiting to be processed

Veteran Stephen LaSalle is shown in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. When LaSalle first injured his foot in a military training exercise, he had only heard the stories about what it was like to deal with Veterans Affairs Canada. Five years later, the reservist naval lieutenant can talk about the experience firsthand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Remembrance Day services across Greater Victoria, including at the provincial cenotaph on the legislative grounds, return to in-person form for 2022. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Remembrance Day ceremonies set to return to form Friday

Events return to pre-pandemic splendour

Remembrance Day services across Greater Victoria, including at the provincial cenotaph on the legislative grounds, return to in-person form for 2022. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Petty Officer 1st Class Steve Morrison and navy Capt. J. Jeffrey Hutchinson stand in the CFB Esquimalt base commander’s office Tuesday (Nov. 8) after Morrison was presented with the Aboriginal Veterans Millennium Medal on National Indigenous Veterans Day. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘This is for all of us’: Indigenous sailor honoured with medal from CFB Esquimalt commander

Petty Officer 1st Class Steve Morrison was awarded the Aboriginal Veteran Millennium Medal Tuesday

Petty Officer 1st Class Steve Morrison and navy Capt. J. Jeffrey Hutchinson stand in the CFB Esquimalt base commander’s office Tuesday (Nov. 8) after Morrison was presented with the Aboriginal Veterans Millennium Medal on National Indigenous Veterans Day. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Chief Petty Officer First Class (retired) Jake McDavid stands in Ottawa, on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Veterans’ parade returns to national Remembrance Day after two-year hiatus

Parade was cancelled the past two years due to health concerns associated with the COVID-19

Chief Petty Officer First Class (retired) Jake McDavid stands in Ottawa, on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Retired Staff Sgt.-Maj. Kathy Rochlitz (left), Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, Craig Thompson, Dave Sinclair and Norm Scott pose for a photo after presenting the first poppy at Government House on Oct. 25. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

B.C. lieutenant governor presented with first poppy to kick off 2022 campaign

Funds raised from annual Royal Canadian Legion poppy campaign supports veteran

Retired Staff Sgt.-Maj. Kathy Rochlitz (left), Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, Craig Thompson, Dave Sinclair and Norm Scott pose for a photo after presenting the first poppy at Government House on Oct. 25. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Victoria artist Fran Benton is putting on an exhibition in Saanich starting Oct. 25 of pieces she created after putting her own interpretation on war photos and memorabilia collected by her late father during his service in the Second World War. (Courtesy of Fran Benton)

Upcoming Saanich art exhibit takes personal look at Second World War

Fran Benton hopes exhibit encourages others to explore their own perspective on war

Victoria artist Fran Benton is putting on an exhibition in Saanich starting Oct. 25 of pieces she created after putting her own interpretation on war photos and memorabilia collected by her late father during his service in the Second World War. (Courtesy of Fran Benton)