Monday, 16 September 2013
MEDIA RELEASE FOR DEPARTURE WESTBOUND
"LEAD, FOLLOW or GET OUT OF MY WAY!"
Follow the trip on my BLOG: michaelcole9112010.blogspot.com
POINTS
TO BE ADDRESSED
a. The CROSS CANADA TRIP and why in support of the Equitas Society.
b. That Mental Illness, whether job induced or naturally occurring is, "A DISABILITY" under the Charter. (Not currently).
c. Changing medical terminology from
P.T.S.D (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) to P.T.S.I. (Post Traumatic Stress
Injury)
d. The UNIONIZATION of the Canadian Military. Union is the only recourse against the New Vet Charter.
e. One Veteran - One Standard. A soldier sacrifice in Afghanistan (or any other conflict zone) is the same as that experienced by WW2 and Korean Veterans. No more old and new Veterans Charters.
d. The UNIONIZATION of the Canadian Military. Union is the only recourse against the New Vet Charter.
e. One Veteran - One Standard. A soldier sacrifice in Afghanistan (or any other conflict zone) is the same as that experienced by WW2 and Korean Veterans. No more old and new Veterans Charters.
Doing
What You Say, Not Just Saying What You Would Do!
There is no better way to make change than doing something. Wishing things were different does no one any good. As the old saying goes,"the road is paved with good intentions."
I personally will pave it with a little rubber from my
tires. The members of the Equitas Society are taking on the Government over
fair treatment of all Veterans. They are asking only to be equal, not special.
They are asking for support and donations.
This is where I can do something. I have donated significant moneys from my own retirement funds to help and I will also be driving across Canada, to raise awareness for their cause. We all can do our part. I'm doing mine, and proud of it!
This is where I can do something. I have donated significant moneys from my own retirement funds to help and I will also be driving across Canada, to raise awareness for their cause. We all can do our part. I'm doing mine, and proud of it!
DEPART PARLAMENT HILL 5:00 PM 19 September
Arrive Comox, British Columbia 03 October 2013
Itinerary on Blog Electronic Google Maps
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Saturday, 14 September 2013
RALLY POINT FOR SUNDAYS DEDICATION
Hello Everyone; Just to let you all know where and when I will be departing for the dedication.
PLACE: 401 EAST, ODESSA Enroute Gas Station ( just before Kingston)
DEPARTURE TIME: 10:00 AM
DESTINATION: 294 Cyr Ave, Vanier, Ottawa, Ontario
ARRIVAL TIME: 12:00 but NLT 12:30 PM
DRIVE SAFE - SEE YOU AT THE DEDICATION!
PLACE: 401 EAST, ODESSA Enroute Gas Station ( just before Kingston)
DEPARTURE TIME: 10:00 AM
DESTINATION: 294 Cyr Ave, Vanier, Ottawa, Ontario
ARRIVAL TIME: 12:00 but NLT 12:30 PM
DRIVE SAFE - SEE YOU AT THE DEDICATION!
Friday, 13 September 2013
OTTAWA DEDICATION SUNDAY
I wish we never had to have a dedication of this type but it is honourable and sadly required. I was myself almost amongst those being honoured Sunday.
I delayed my Veteran Unity and Equitas Support Drive cross Canada, just so I could attend this very important day.
I look forward to meeting those I speak to on FB and it will be a good occasion to get the message out to the media.
I delayed my Veteran Unity and Equitas Support Drive cross Canada, just so I could attend this very important day.
I look forward to meeting those I speak to on FB and it will be a good occasion to get the message out to the media.
Sunday, 8 September 2013
GOVERNMENT - COST / BENEFIT EQUATION
EQUITAS SOCIETY SUPPORT and VETERAN's UNITY DRIVE
CROSS CANADA
Remember when I talked about the general use of the term,"SOMEBODY?" It is used in the context of; "SOMEBODY should arrest that person! or SOMEBODY should stop the use of poison gas in Syria!" Yep, there is that pesky SOMEBODY we all talk about. The one who is supposed to do this or that, "FOR US," because god knows we would or could not do it.
So to summarize the previous paragraph, let us substitute the word, "SOMEBODY" for the "FAMILY DOG". So we go away on a shopping trip downtown. We leave the family dog home to guard our house and possessions against thieves. We feel secure that the family dog will always defend our house and us if needed because that is what dogs do. That is why we spend so much on dog food and Veterinarian bills, because the dog is part of our family.
One day the dog starts acting strangely after you come home from shopping. You take a day off work to go to the Vet with the dog. Turns out, there is nothing really wrong with the dog except it is in tremendous pain because of a progressive hip problem. The Vet says that the dog can be helped but it will cost some money, and not just a little. How much you ask? could be a little but it could be a lot, unknown.
So now you have options. These are, put the dog down (cheapest), get drugs to help relieve some of the dog's pain or pay for the full cost of helping the dog back to health or as best as possible using modern medicine.
As a SOMEBODY (myself the dog in my example), I will change the characters back to the way it really is and let's see. The Government is now the homeowner who relied on the dog daily (military, RCMP) to protect the family and possessions (our Country and people as well as Global Interests) for the grand sum total of dog food and an annual trip to the Vet (for an ever shrinking middle class wage and a possible pension after serving many years faithfully). The dog (military or RCMP) now needs a sizable chunk of money to get healed. Cheaper options are available. Which does the Government choose?
It appears the Government, after relying on these people to guard and defend us, our families and possessions will pay hundreds of thousands, possibly millions of YOUR TAX DOLLARS to fight in BC court the very people that, YOU, the taxpayer, relied upon to defend your Country, homes and families instead of use these millions of YOUR TAX DOLLARS to HELP those that guarded you.
The Government, the elected officials, the ones that defend overspending, false claiming Senators, are the ones that will spend millions of YOUR TAX MONEY, (what's left after the Senate has got to it), to fight those who have truly given their lives to defend you and yours. WHAT???????
YOUR TO DO LIST!
1. Use your VOTING PEN to FIRE THEM and HIRE SOMEONE with ETHICS and MORALS!
2. WRITE YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT and DEMAND!! THEY STOP WASTING YOUR TAX DOLLARS on a COURT CASE AGAINST RETIRED VETERANS AND RCMP!
3. Bring SHAME UPON THEM. The GOVERNOR GENERAL can PROROGUE PARLIAMENT and CAN STOP THIS COURT CASE if he wants to. He works for the QUEEN and this is OUR COUNTRY and OUR VETERAN'S and RCMP! Don't ask anymore, TELL HIM! AS A PROUD CANADIAN; what you want DONE WITH YOUR TAX MONEY.
To him (the Governor General) and our MP'S; SHAME!!!SHAME ON YOU!!!
Friday, 6 September 2013
A CALL TO DUTY
Ms. Fynes has requested my presents at a ceremony to honour those:
Ms Fynes; I am in Gander Newfoundland at the moment. I am doing a cross Canada drive trying to high light Equitas, PTSD and Job Related Mental Illness. It would be inappropriate if I did not attend. Thank you for the invitation. I see it as a great honour and privilege to be there to support you.
S.O.S
S.O.S. TREE/PLAQUE FOR SOLDIERS OF SUICIDE
Ms Fynes; I am in Gander Newfoundland at the moment. I am doing a cross Canada drive trying to high light Equitas, PTSD and Job Related Mental Illness. It would be inappropriate if I did not attend. Thank you for the invitation. I see it as a great honour and privilege to be there to support you.
S.O.S
GANDER NFLD - 06/07 Sep 2013
EQUITAS SOCIETY SUPPORT and VETERAN's UNITY DRIVE
CROSS CANADA
DRIVING SONG NO.1
DRIVING SONG NO.2
DRIVING SONG NO.3
Well hello again road warriors. There is so much to tell you it is hard to find a spot to begin. Well let us go back to North Sydney. There is not much going on in North Sydney other than the weather. The people, as always are kind and friendly. As instructed, we arrived at the ferry loading area 2 1/2 hours before scheduled departure.
My Truck with all of it's flags, stickers and signs is hardly noticeable. None the less, people did notice it and wow, did I get a reception. The first gentleman who came over to talk was kind of shy at first. He was interested in Equitas and it's mission. He then proceeded to tell me a story of his son. His name is Trevor (I believe Dad, I got that right). He wanted to be sure I got his son's name right because you see, I have a picture of a different Trever on my Truck. This Tever had a poem written as a memorial for him and people with PTSD. I found it so moving I put it on the Truck so everyone could understand how someone with PTSD feels.
Back to Trevor's Dad. He began to tell me the story of how his son was injured in Afganistan. He told me, his son was in a negotiation with the Talliban when someone came in with an axe and struck him in the head. The details of his injury I will leave out for those with a sensitive stomach but, suffice to say, getting hit hard in the head with an axe is not good. His brain trauma was extensive. His Father, who I was talking to was visibly shaken but composed. He was so proud of his son and proud of the Veterans that were out there, such as myself, helping pave the way for the inevitable new group of Veterans in the future. We discussed the problems with the New Veterans Charter (NVC) and our mutual disappointment in our Government. We talked about the shame brought on this country when it's own Veterans have to take their own Government to court for fair treatment.
We talked about politics for a bit then I asked him for a favor. I asked if he could give his son something for me. He asked, what would you like me to give him? I popped open one of the many plastic containers in the box of my Truck and pulled out a Equitas T-Shirt for him. I said, "please give him this and tell him that we have not forgotten and are still doing what we can as Veterans to right this wrong (NVC)". He said his son would be thrilled and he took a picture of me and the T-Shirt I was to give him. We exchanged emails and he was off. By this time others were interested in the cause. They too had seen the T-Shirt, and asked for one. They wanted to know how much I was selling them for? I pulled out some shirts, shook their hands and said they are free from me as long as you promise me you will donate to the Equitas Society directly. They promised on their word and I gave them a shirt.
A little while later, a rather large man with a cane came over to me. He smiled stuck out his hand in friendship and said only,"thank you for your service." Of course, as any gentleman would, he said the same to my wife, a Veteran herself of 30 years. This man with the cane just happened to be a fellow by the name of, "Trapper." He is the Head of CAV (Canadian Army Veterans) and 1 CAV. Canada is divided into three different areas for the CAV. 1 CAV is central Canada. 2 CAV is eastern Canada and 3 CAV is Western Canada. We had a great talk and made plans for the future.
You know there are some days that just warm your heart so much and give you that little spring back in your step. Well the morning of the 5th of September was that day for me. I had just arrived in Newfoundland. It was windy, foggy, cold and of course wet. With all that said, I rolled off the Ferry and who was waiting to escort myself and my little truck? None other than the Heads of 1 CAV 2 CAV and the former head of CAV. I would never want to miss an opportunity to thank all the spouses of Veterans and of course Trappers Wife was right there with him and the other leaders of CAV. As I drove along towards St. John's, escorted by the CAV leaders, the wind blowing, rain and wind ever present, I was proud. I said to myself, I need to remember the example of leadership that is being shown to me and keep those and meld them into my own person. Lead by example.
I departed St. John's, Signal Hill at 1:00 pm or 1300 hrs to begin my drive in support of Equitas. A wonderful start. An example of leadership I will never forget and a father's smile as I gave his son that shirt. I got promises of donations to Equitas.
All in all. A damn good start. I will be departing Gander 07 Sep for the west coast ferry back to Nova Scotia, departing on the 9th.
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
NFLD - Here We Come 05 SEP 2013
05 SEP MAP
DRIVE TUNE 05 SEP
As a great big thank you to Robin Brentnall, I included the song he suggested as our first one for the actual drive.
Our timings are as follows;
Dept N. Sydney 1700
Arrive Argentia Approx. 1030
Arrive Signal Hill St John's 12 - 1230
Arrive Gambo (Joey's) 1600
Overnight in Gander
Must Dept NFLD 09 Sep for return to N. Sydney.
Feelin' the Love!
DRIVE TUNE 05 SEP
EQUITAS SOCIETY SUPPORT and VETERAN's UNITY DRIVE
CROSS CANADA
As a great big thank you to Robin Brentnall, I included the song he suggested as our first one for the actual drive.
Our timings are as follows;
Dept N. Sydney 1700
Arrive Argentia Approx. 1030
Arrive Signal Hill St John's 12 - 1230
Arrive Gambo (Joey's) 1600
Overnight in Gander
Must Dept NFLD 09 Sep for return to N. Sydney.
Feelin' the Love!
Monday, 2 September 2013
ANGELS
03 SEP MAP
DRIVING MUSIC
Left Marimachi on the 1st and had a nice quiet drive through Shediac, NB. After Shediac, we decided to go visit my old house I talked so much about in my book. It was a beautiful summer day. The sun was shinning. The soil was so red and everything was so green. It sure brought back nice memories. Memories of a simpler time in my life. New neighbors had moved in next door. They were from Quebec City and were so nice and kind to talk with. They invited us in but we had to keep moving. Went on to Cavendish, Green Gables and finally Charlottetown. We were tired but needed a portion of that fresh East Coast Lobster. Beautiful dinner and a great time.
When I got back, there was an email waiting for me. A person by the name of Charlene wanted to see me the next day. She works at the MFRC (Military Family Resource Centre). There is a Christmas Movie called "Miracle on 34th Street." In this Movie, one of the actors says that every time you hear a bell ring, another Angel receives their wings.
Well let me tell you, the bells in Charlottetown have rung loud and clear for Charlene. If you could bottle what she has as a natural gift of making you feel welcome and at ease, she would have the corner on the market for sure. If I was in anyway sad or depressed when I went in to see her, I sure as hell was not when I left. Funny, bright, intelligent and wise, it was easy for me to see why she is so valuable as a support person.
We talked, laughed, planned and schemed on what could be done to bring all Veterans groups together and support the Equitas Society at the same time. If 1/10th of what we discussed comes forth, my next pass through the Island will be a very memorable one.
Thanks Charlene for refilling my tank with love and caring. I felt so good, happy and at peace that she was really going to help us make things happen. My drive to Antigonish, NS was nice and uneventful. The Cabot Trail tomorrow then.......on to "THE ROCK". Arrival 05 Sep. My next post will be from NFLD.
DRIVING MUSIC
Left Marimachi on the 1st and had a nice quiet drive through Shediac, NB. After Shediac, we decided to go visit my old house I talked so much about in my book. It was a beautiful summer day. The sun was shinning. The soil was so red and everything was so green. It sure brought back nice memories. Memories of a simpler time in my life. New neighbors had moved in next door. They were from Quebec City and were so nice and kind to talk with. They invited us in but we had to keep moving. Went on to Cavendish, Green Gables and finally Charlottetown. We were tired but needed a portion of that fresh East Coast Lobster. Beautiful dinner and a great time.
When I got back, there was an email waiting for me. A person by the name of Charlene wanted to see me the next day. She works at the MFRC (Military Family Resource Centre). There is a Christmas Movie called "Miracle on 34th Street." In this Movie, one of the actors says that every time you hear a bell ring, another Angel receives their wings.
Well let me tell you, the bells in Charlottetown have rung loud and clear for Charlene. If you could bottle what she has as a natural gift of making you feel welcome and at ease, she would have the corner on the market for sure. If I was in anyway sad or depressed when I went in to see her, I sure as hell was not when I left. Funny, bright, intelligent and wise, it was easy for me to see why she is so valuable as a support person.
We talked, laughed, planned and schemed on what could be done to bring all Veterans groups together and support the Equitas Society at the same time. If 1/10th of what we discussed comes forth, my next pass through the Island will be a very memorable one.
Thanks Charlene for refilling my tank with love and caring. I felt so good, happy and at peace that she was really going to help us make things happen. My drive to Antigonish, NS was nice and uneventful. The Cabot Trail tomorrow then.......on to "THE ROCK". Arrival 05 Sep. My next post will be from NFLD.
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