Downtown mission honours the 'walking wounded'

Downtown mission honours the 'walking wounded'. A gentleman hangs his head during The Remembrance Day Ceremony in Honour of the Homeless Veteran at The Scott Mission in downtown Toronto on Wednesday. Photo/AARON VINCENT ELKAIM

The first-of-its-kind Nov. 11 service welcomed several dignitaries, notably Ontario's Lt. Governor David Onley and Veterans Ombudsman Col. Patrick Stogran.

David Smith, the mission's executive director and CEO, opened up the event by saying this service is in honour of the many homeless people who have had direct experience with war and conflict.

"This service is for you," he said to the 100 or so people gathered in the charitable organization's chapel for the memorial.

Smith's thoughts were further summed up in a news release.

"Fortunately, we now better understand the trauma and bereavement felt by our servicemen and servicewomen when they return from the combat zones. While many successfully readjust to civilian life, others come close to the point of no return. We as Canadians need to tell them that we understand," he said.

Rev. Steve Shaw, the Scott Mission's chair of the board, prayed that all of those who now suffer as a result of the war whether it be the bereaved, the homeless, or the sick and disabled, somehow find peace in their hearts and that peace prevails all over the world.

Strogan with the support of Sweeney and the Scott Mission, which was founded in 1941 during the height of the Second World War, are behind the new service.

A member of Canada's military for more than 30 years, Strogan said serving one's country especially in a combat zone is a life-changing experience that some veterans struggle with for years after they come home.

"To me there's a far greater family we should be remembering: those who gave their lives are somewhat more fortunate than some of the walking wounded who come here," Strogan said, adding Canadians have a responsibility to reach out and support all veterans and their families.

Further, Strogan said he's proud of the post-traumatic stress disorder that he suffers from because he's part of the millions of men and women in the Canadian military known worldwide for their compassion and ability to effect positive change in war-torn nations.

"On Remembrance Day, I think of the fallen, the families of the fallen but I also think of those other people who asked nothing of their country and served it proudly."

Onley said each Remembrance Day Canadians come together to remember those who lost their lives during conflict but that it's also important to honour those who fought for our freedom and came home, some of whom are forced to fight the demons of their war experiences on a daily basis.

"We must also remember those broken in mind and body. We need to remember, help and honour those to whom peace is a battle at home," he said during the assembly, adding that some veterans return home with a whole new set of challenges and some have a tough time moving forward in their lives.

"They deserve our respect, admiration and gratitude."

At this time, there is no official count of the number of homeless veterans in Canada.

As Veterans ombudsman, Strogan said one way to move forward with solutions for helping this often transient population is by identifying the extent of the problem and then developing solutions based on that need.

It's an undertaking he's encouraging Veterans Affairs Canada to further pursue. So far, a handful of pilot projects are in the works.

Lt. Col. John Fotheringham, the commanding officer of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, Joseph Sweeney of the Korean Veterans Association, and David Gordon, executive director of the Royal Canadian Legion, were also in attendance at the inaugural event.