HKVCA President - Derrill Henderson
What a Spring! The vicious weather; the Federal election; the “fun” of getting a kitchen renovation, and the seemingly impossible task of getting people to respond to one’s queries have certainly taken the fun out of life.
I am still working as Carol’s “Ottawa agent” on the outstanding memorial Wall issues - spelling corrections, lighting, parking, and the future installation of Gander on the site.
We now have a new Minister of Veterans Affairs whom I hope to soon meet. It is important to keep our organization in VAC’s thoughts as they play a major role in educating Canada’s youth about our military heritage. We must take advantage of every opportunity to accomplish our goal of making the sacrifices of our Hong Kong veterans known for this important episode of Canadian history.
I am very proud of one accomplishment - the War Amps have agreed to monitor the benefits currently received by the widows of our veterans, and to ensure they are receiving all that they are entitled to have. Additionally, the National Council of Veterans Associations (NCVA) are making representations to the government to have widows recognized as a group with specific needs, and to have benefits awarded in their own right without limitation to those previously received by their husbands.
This summer I will be traveling to several eastern sectors and hopefully I shall be meeting some of you. Our biennial convention will be in Granby Quebec. I encourage you to make every effort to attend, for it is in this setting that we jointly solidify our plans and move forward together in their realization.
Have a safe and healthy summer.
Email: Derrill Henderson