Friday 27 April 2012
Minor Changes Can Go A Long Way
I just wanted to summarize what exactly I have been working towards, ref VAC. I am not interested in changing VAC as an institution, just the way they work. The structure, protocol and manning is not an issue. What I have an issue with is, the deliberate way that they do things there. It is easy to say change the way letters are written and the member must be consulted before the first application, or other correspondence goes in. This will ensure that there is no missing information. Little things like that, are the changes I am looking to be made. Having the Veteran as an active participant in the process, would be a good thing. By VAC doing everything on their own, is bound to create problems and miscommunication. If we can fix the ants then we don't have to worry about the elephants walking on by.
Tuesday 24 April 2012
Privacy - The 2 Year Rule on Document Destruction
I received a letter yesterday from the, Senior Privacy Investigator. The reason I heard from him was to update me on lost documents.
These documents that went missing, proved my VAC case. VAC looked for all the relevant documents from DND but never quite got around to asking me if I thought they had everything needed before application.
I realize that this will be a shock to you all but, my first application was refused due to lack of evidence. The less than detailed rejection letter came back with no information as to what they looked at.
I quickly realized that the person forwarding in the information, or lack there of, had overlooked a few detailed documents. I compiled a 100+ page filler to VAC. This small mountain of documents seemed to have not been available to VAC. Two documents missing were somewhat insignificant. The first was from the CDS and the other from the Queen. Hidden and unavailable I presume.
I thought I would file a complaint with the Privacy Commission reference these missing documents (CDS & Queen ). Not having these for my initial application, caused a significant delay in myself, receiving much needed treatment ( Approx 1 year delay ).
Getting back to the letter from the privacy commission, they state that Grievance and Harassment files are retained for 2 years, then destroyed ( IAW Government Retention Policies ). Some RCMP members might want to look into this because they destroyed my documents, I hope they didn't destroy yours.
My final entry for today is reference the documents written by the CDS and on behalf of the Queen, reference myself and my treatment within the military as it pertained to a Base Commander. DND found only an unsigned draft of the CDS's letter and nothing about that Queen person. So to recap.
We don't keep records of letters sent from Canada's top General. Especially if they pertain to the conduct of a Base Commander. They probably have nothing on Russ William's either.
Now that Queen person that nobody seems to be concerned about. Her Letter to me reference the treatment I received was not able to be located by anyone. Shame how these things just slip away.
The letter back I received from the Privacy Commission indicated that proudly DND had released an unsigned draft copy of a CDS letter to me. This lead me to think that in some way that this was somehow significant. An unsigned draft letter is garbage and treated as such. They destroyed all the meaningful stuff after two years but, they kept this trophy of an unsigned draft letter. I am getting used to the responses from the Government reference anything of substance. I therefore knowing by experience that the type of letter I received from the Privacy Commission would be, undetailed as it was. I sent a request to the Governor General about this situation and the missing documents from that Queen person. I hope he has better luck than the Privacy Commission did on their first try.
These documents that went missing, proved my VAC case. VAC looked for all the relevant documents from DND but never quite got around to asking me if I thought they had everything needed before application.
I realize that this will be a shock to you all but, my first application was refused due to lack of evidence. The less than detailed rejection letter came back with no information as to what they looked at.
I quickly realized that the person forwarding in the information, or lack there of, had overlooked a few detailed documents. I compiled a 100+ page filler to VAC. This small mountain of documents seemed to have not been available to VAC. Two documents missing were somewhat insignificant. The first was from the CDS and the other from the Queen. Hidden and unavailable I presume.
I thought I would file a complaint with the Privacy Commission reference these missing documents (CDS & Queen ). Not having these for my initial application, caused a significant delay in myself, receiving much needed treatment ( Approx 1 year delay ).
Getting back to the letter from the privacy commission, they state that Grievance and Harassment files are retained for 2 years, then destroyed ( IAW Government Retention Policies ). Some RCMP members might want to look into this because they destroyed my documents, I hope they didn't destroy yours.
My final entry for today is reference the documents written by the CDS and on behalf of the Queen, reference myself and my treatment within the military as it pertained to a Base Commander. DND found only an unsigned draft of the CDS's letter and nothing about that Queen person. So to recap.
We don't keep records of letters sent from Canada's top General. Especially if they pertain to the conduct of a Base Commander. They probably have nothing on Russ William's either.
Now that Queen person that nobody seems to be concerned about. Her Letter to me reference the treatment I received was not able to be located by anyone. Shame how these things just slip away.
The letter back I received from the Privacy Commission indicated that proudly DND had released an unsigned draft copy of a CDS letter to me. This lead me to think that in some way that this was somehow significant. An unsigned draft letter is garbage and treated as such. They destroyed all the meaningful stuff after two years but, they kept this trophy of an unsigned draft letter. I am getting used to the responses from the Government reference anything of substance. I therefore knowing by experience that the type of letter I received from the Privacy Commission would be, undetailed as it was. I sent a request to the Governor General about this situation and the missing documents from that Queen person. I hope he has better luck than the Privacy Commission did on their first try.
Sunday 15 April 2012
Understanding Goes A Long Way
Letter from an airline pilot:
He writes: My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We have an H.R. On this flight." (H.R. Stands for human remains.) "Are they military?" I asked.
'Yes', she said.
'Is there an escort?' I asked.
'Yes, I already assigned him a seat'.
'Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early," I said..
A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.
'My soldier is on his way back to Virginia ,' he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words.
I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat.
We completed our pre-flight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. 'I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board', she said. She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia.
The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when she asked me if there was anything I could do. 'I'm on it', I said. I told her that I would get back to her.
Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a
Secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.
Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I
Saved the return message from the dispatcher and the following is the text:
'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft.
The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans.. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.'
He writes: My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We have an H.R. On this flight." (H.R. Stands for human remains.) "Are they military?" I asked.
'Yes', she said.
'Is there an escort?' I asked.
'Yes, I already assigned him a seat'.
'Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early," I said..
A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.
'My soldier is on his way back to Virginia ,' he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words.
I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat.
We completed our pre-flight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. 'I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board', she said. She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia.
The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when she asked me if there was anything I could do. 'I'm on it', I said. I told her that I would get back to her.
Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a
Secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.
Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I
Saved the return message from the dispatcher and the following is the text:
'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft.
The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans.. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.'
I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, 'You have no idea how much this will mean to them.'
Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told
that all traffic was being held for us.
'There is a team in place to meet the aircraft', we were told. It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the co-pilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, 'Take your time.'
I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address button and said, 'Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'
We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.
When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of 'God Bless You', I'm sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane.
They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.
Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.
I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety.
Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told
that all traffic was being held for us.
'There is a team in place to meet the aircraft', we were told. It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the co-pilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, 'Take your time.'
I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address button and said, 'Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'
We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.
When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of 'God Bless You', I'm sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane.
They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.
Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.
I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety.
Foot note:
I know everyone who has served their country who reads this will have tears in their eyes, including me.
Prayer chain for our Military... Don't break it!
Please send this on after a short prayer for our service men and women.
Don't break it!
They die for me and mine and you and yours and deserve our honor and respect.
Wednesday 4 April 2012
New Day - New Insight
I received a letter today from BPA (VAC Lawyers). They wrote about scheduling a Tribunal for me. For what reason, I am unsure. I never requested any such thing. I had talked to VAC about my personal information and that I was amazed how they could deny my last Consequential Claim, for two specific issues. I was hospitalized for these exact issues that my Original Claim was partially based upon but, they said they didn't have enough information to decide in my favor.
So to Re-Cap. I filed my Initial Claim based partially on my hospitalization. The military told VAC that the evidence supporting my claim, didn't exist. Having the evidence that they said didn't exist, I sent it to them. Claim approved.
Consequential Claim for the things I was hospitalized for. VAC states that their was no, or not enough evidence that I was hospitalized, for them to decide in my favor. I realize that the small amount of paperwork involved in an emergency transport by ambulance to Kingston General and a months stay in ICU and recovery, would generate, little to no paperwork.
PLEASE, GIVE IT A BREAK>VETERANS DIDN'T JUST FALL OFF THE APPLE CART!! HOW DUMB DO YOU THINK WE ARE? If I was smart enough to fly the Prime Minister around and the UNKNOWN SOLDIER home to Canada, I think I can see what is going on here.
YOU LOST MY PAPERWORK THAT SUBSTANTIATED MY INITIAL CLAIM AND NOW YOU CLAIM TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SHOW I WAS IN A HOSPITAL FOR A MONTH, JUST SO YOU COULD DENY MY CONSEQUENTIAL CLAIM!!!
I did my own request for a Departmental Review for my initial claim and I will certainly do one for this situation. I have no trust in BPA. I have at least 100 pounds of papers showing exactly why I was in the hospital and the causes. I used new technology though, to gain this illusive information. I did the complex tasks of:
Asking the people that work there.
I asked for copies.
I asked for and kept receipts.
I kept doctor records and blood tests.
I got them and filed them because you know what, I just might need them some day. Surprise (no one at all is surprised) they went MIA (missing in Action) or as VAC likes to say, not able to locate.
Surprise!!! They went missing at just the wrong time for me. Shucks!!! Too bad. But wait!! I kept a copy of everything that was easily available to anyone who cared to ask.
Here is a novel idea. Why not ask the member if they have any information supporting their claim BEFORE IT GOES IN. Just as a double check. Just in case someone misplaced information that may be critical to the claim. I find: my phone, FAX, Computer, even the written word in pen, if required, could be utilized as intended, to communicate. As a famous line in a movie once stated; "looks like we have a failure to communicate!"
Funny. Something about missing info was pointed out by the Auditor General reference the military and F35. Having been in the military, if they want to get it right, they do. If they want to appear as if they have it right, they can and will.
So to Re-Cap. I filed my Initial Claim based partially on my hospitalization. The military told VAC that the evidence supporting my claim, didn't exist. Having the evidence that they said didn't exist, I sent it to them. Claim approved.
Consequential Claim for the things I was hospitalized for. VAC states that their was no, or not enough evidence that I was hospitalized, for them to decide in my favor. I realize that the small amount of paperwork involved in an emergency transport by ambulance to Kingston General and a months stay in ICU and recovery, would generate, little to no paperwork.
PLEASE, GIVE IT A BREAK>VETERANS DIDN'T JUST FALL OFF THE APPLE CART!! HOW DUMB DO YOU THINK WE ARE? If I was smart enough to fly the Prime Minister around and the UNKNOWN SOLDIER home to Canada, I think I can see what is going on here.
YOU LOST MY PAPERWORK THAT SUBSTANTIATED MY INITIAL CLAIM AND NOW YOU CLAIM TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SHOW I WAS IN A HOSPITAL FOR A MONTH, JUST SO YOU COULD DENY MY CONSEQUENTIAL CLAIM!!!
I did my own request for a Departmental Review for my initial claim and I will certainly do one for this situation. I have no trust in BPA. I have at least 100 pounds of papers showing exactly why I was in the hospital and the causes. I used new technology though, to gain this illusive information. I did the complex tasks of:
Asking the people that work there.
I asked for copies.
I asked for and kept receipts.
I kept doctor records and blood tests.
I got them and filed them because you know what, I just might need them some day. Surprise (no one at all is surprised) they went MIA (missing in Action) or as VAC likes to say, not able to locate.
Surprise!!! They went missing at just the wrong time for me. Shucks!!! Too bad. But wait!! I kept a copy of everything that was easily available to anyone who cared to ask.
Here is a novel idea. Why not ask the member if they have any information supporting their claim BEFORE IT GOES IN. Just as a double check. Just in case someone misplaced information that may be critical to the claim. I find: my phone, FAX, Computer, even the written word in pen, if required, could be utilized as intended, to communicate. As a famous line in a movie once stated; "looks like we have a failure to communicate!"
Funny. Something about missing info was pointed out by the Auditor General reference the military and F35. Having been in the military, if they want to get it right, they do. If they want to appear as if they have it right, they can and will.
Sunday 1 April 2012
Unbelievable - Maybe Not
In 2009, I filed my initial claim with VAC. It took over a year to get a positive outcome. I submitted over 100 pages of documentation that DND (Department of National Defense) should have had access to but seemed to have misplaced. Luckily I didn't misplace my copies and compiled an extensive response for BPA (Bureau of Pension Advocates) to work with and request a, Departmental Review. They said my case was too hot. I had to file the request myself, and won.
Update. It is now 2012. Consequential claims filed based on the initial claim were submitted in 2011. I realize for some of you that this will come as a shocker but, to us Veteran's, it is just SNAFU! (Situation Normal, All Fu....ked Up). It appears that all the documentation of my being hospitalized in 2009 and given a 10% chance of living, which was the basis of my original claim, has gone MIA (Missing in Action). You got to be kidding me. Sadly not.
On a nicer note, I would like to thank, Peter Stoffer MP, for all of his hard work and concern for our well being. I would also like to say that I agree with his statements about the hard work that the front line VAC personnel are doing for us Veteran's. Hat's off to them and all their very hard work. It gives me pride to see their caring and genuine concern for our well being.
Update. It is now 2012. Consequential claims filed based on the initial claim were submitted in 2011. I realize for some of you that this will come as a shocker but, to us Veteran's, it is just SNAFU! (Situation Normal, All Fu....ked Up). It appears that all the documentation of my being hospitalized in 2009 and given a 10% chance of living, which was the basis of my original claim, has gone MIA (Missing in Action). You got to be kidding me. Sadly not.
On a nicer note, I would like to thank, Peter Stoffer MP, for all of his hard work and concern for our well being. I would also like to say that I agree with his statements about the hard work that the front line VAC personnel are doing for us Veteran's. Hat's off to them and all their very hard work. It gives me pride to see their caring and genuine concern for our well being.
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