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Legion Musing

With Robert Simpson

You're only being human

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

I want to talk about a trip I made recently, it was to CFB Petawawa where I served in the 1970's. This trip was with my fiancé so she could see her son before he deploys on his second tour to Afghanistan. I met this young man for the first time on Feb 14th at Branch 18. Soon he'll be a part of my family as well when we marry.

I had a chance to speak a bit with him on what he experienced over there. Two generations many years apart but still the same when it comes to what we feel. We both became rather sad when we talked about the children and that's where war has the worst impact. This is where the Canadian soldier tends to feel the most stress of their tours. Compound that with seeing your buddies being killed, people trying to kill you and you having to kill them. Is it any wonder that we suffer the effects after we return to Canada?

Yes the easy way would be for our troops to never have to go overseas to start with, in a perfect world that would happen. But in the real world, Canada is asked to be a part of the effort to help in conflict and in trying to make a peace. None are better, but the price paid by us is terrible. We only ask that people try to understand us as we struggle to make sense of it all. The old days was suck it up and be a man, if you are having trouble, then drink more beer. Today the younger soldiers struggle with the feeling that, "I am looking weak to the others." But you're only being human. Whether you are: young, old or every age in , between we only want to be human again.

So what is the first step you may ask. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122. You can also contact me via Branch 18 519-627-6663. I am here to help you, as is Veterans Affairs Canada. Why because I know the hell we go through. I have been going to the Operational Stress Clinic for over 3 years after suffering, silently, for 30 years from this wound. They help us to deal with everything in our lives and they are good people.

LEST WE FORGET



Robert Simpson was born in Amherst Nova Scotia. From 1976 to 1980 served in the Canadian armed forces He served in Cyprus 1978/79. He came to Wallaceburg where he worked at North American Plastics. He worked in Toronto as a computer technician. After suffering a heart attack 2002 he retired to Wallaceburg to be closer to his 3 daughters, and all his grandchildren. He is involved with Branch 18 Legion where he is on the executive; he serves as Seniors Chairman. also is currently Youth-Ed Chairman, Liaison with the Sea Cadets and Elevator Committee Chairman for the Legion. Robert is also working at starting up an Operational Stress Injury Peer Support Group in the area for Veterans of all ages.