oh Canada ..."Hero dishonoured in death"

[auntAgonist]

Hero dishonoured in death
http://www.torontosun.com/News/Columnists/Worthington_Peter/2008/05/24/pf-5656616.html

Last Post Fund fails to deliver at the end of a long road
By PETER WORTHINGTON


Since 2004, the non-profit Last Post Fund (LPF) has campaigned to ensure that no veteran with wartime service will "ever be denied a dignified funeral and burial for lack of sufficient funds."

That may not seem a big deal to young soldiers, who feel immortal or invincible, but it's a concern for aging veterans who are approaching the end of the road and are strapped for funeral money. They don't want kinfolk to bear the costs of a funeral. Supported financially by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), the LPF rule is that an application for funeral and burial assistance can only be made at the time of a qualified veteran's death (usually World War I, World War II and Korea). This has brought considerable peace of mind not only to many aging veterans and their families, but to other Canadians who appreciate the sacrifices made in their name. This is certainly how Jose van Berkel of Penticton, B.C., felt when her stepfather, Ken Barwise, died in early March. She's since had a rude awakening and doesn't feel that way today.

FUNERAL CONTRACT

"I was told that Last Post would pick up all funeral expenses, and sign the contract with the funeral home," she says.

As it turned out, the funeral home is charging her some $5,000 "and I have no money to pay."

The LPF paid $966 toward the funeral, but that's it as far as Jose can determine. She's contacted retired Princess Patricias Col. Pat Stogran, now VAC Ombudsman, and says he found it "appalling" that LPF wasn't picking up the tab for Barwise's funeral.

"I was looking after my dad for the past 10 years, and he had very little -- living month-to-month on his pension," says Jose. "His was a hard life."

That's understatement.

Consider: Ken Barwise was one of the few genuine heroes of the Korean War, whose feats at the historic Battle of Kapyong are still talked about in the regiment.

[Spazito]

1. I hope publicizing of this travesty will force LPF to reverse their decision and

do as they should have in the first place, ensured that no veteran with wartime service, INCLUDING Mr. Barwise, will "ever be denied a dignified funeral and burial for lack of sufficient funds."