How many Canadians dead and wounded in wars across the years?

The National War Memorial
drew a big crowd.

Much has been written on honouring those who have served. I believe that the best way to honour those who gave their lives, is to show respect for those who return from combat, wounded in mind, body and spirit.

The government, rather than keeping these people under their wings, throw them out into society, now with lump-sum payments.  We know what happens to lottery winners, they spend it.

In 2006 the government changed the rules upon injury and/or discharge. In the old days, a vet who, for example, lost a limb could receive $4000 per month in pension. Now, the Disability Award is a tax-free payment of up to $298, 588 based on the extent of their wounds.

The House of Commons defence committee guess that of the 27,000 troops deployed to Afghanistan that about 3600 could have mental health issues upon their return. They thought about 1100 would have PTSD.

Since PTSD is one of the least reported issues veterans face, I wonder how they would know the numbers. With the rash of suicides by veterans (about a dozen by March, 2014), suicide by cop, and those with PTSD, the cover-ups by the military, those who advocate think these numbers are low. A CTV journalist says it is a mystery.

Angry veterans launch ‘Anybody But Conservative’ (ABC) campaign to defeat Tories in upcoming election

They are upset and fighting back, and rightly so. If you cannot demonstrate you are wounded, especially with PTSD, where do you turn? They may not be in any position to self-advocate and they turn to self-medication, anything to relieve the pain. They may have sleep deprivation, physical pain, spiritual, mental and relationship issues, divorce and suicidal ideations are common. They may not be able to hold down a job or have any means of support.

PTSD & OSI SUPPORT AND AWARENESS

• Soldiers do not feel they have a problem or are afraid to come forward for fear they will be forced out of the military
• A culture of ignorance in society still surrounds the mental health issue of PTSD & Occupational Stress Injury (OSI)
• In a Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Study, out of a group of 3,154 regular force veterans, 90% reported at least one physical health condition diagnosed due to their service and half reported mental health issues 

• Difficult adjustment to civilian life was experienced by 25% of Veterans. (Health and Well-being of Canadian Armed Forces Veterans: Findings from the 2013 Life After Service Survey )

• 6% of this Regular Force group reported having thoughts of suicide

What needs to be done to help injured veterans? Here is one soldier’s perspective  Citizen Article

Wounded Warrior Park

Wounded Warriors Canada is a non-profit organization that helps Canadian Armed Forces members – be they regular force
 or reservists – who have been wounded or injured in their service to Canada. Currently, our primary focus is on mental health and, particularly, the staggering impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Overall, however, our mandate is to help any Veteran in need as they transition to civilian life.

Boer war (1899 -1902): 244 killed
Peacekeepers: 121 killed
Afghanistan:  158 killed

Here is some information students gathered from the Canadian Legion's publications.

World War I

Canadians Served	Died	Wounded	P.O.W. (Prisoner of War)
328,736 *including 4,518 women	66,655	138,166	2,818

World War II

Canadians Served	Died	Wounded	POW (Prisoner of War)
1,031,902 men *including 49,963 women	44,927 *including 73 women	53,145 *including 19 women	8,271

 Korean War

Canadians Served	Died	Wounded	POW (Prisoner of War)
26791	516	1,558	33

Gulf War

Canadians Served	Died	Wounded	POW (Prisoner of War)
4074 * including 237 women	0	0	0

~Table by Andrew ~information from: Speaker's Guide and Fact Book: Royal Canadian Legion

Lest we forget

Momento: shadow box

On this very solemn day, we remember. In fact, we remember every time we pass my hubby's father's  photo.

• my mother's first fiance, who died in WW II. 
• young men and women who served, never to return.
• many continue to serve 
• home, wounded in body and spirit.

Dad with his sister -1942

Today, I think of the wonderful teachers and students who are creating moving Remembrance day assemblies. Learning respect for those who have gone before, and how to participate in a ceremony, and to honour our country.

Timely, the protests of current veterans to fight for fair treatment. We honour the dead, but we must treat the living and wounded in body, mind or soul.


Angry veterans rally on Parliament Hill, demand royal commission

Disabled soldiers are demanding the federal government establish a royal  commission to investigate

The women at home wrote to the men

No idea who he was

Our Highway of Heroes has honoured the 152 soldiers from those who have died serving others in Afghanistan.
For a full list: the 152 Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan 
Four Canadian civilians have also been killed, including one diplomat, one journalist and two aid workers.


"Highway of Heroes", was co-written and co-produced by The Trews and Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar) and was inspired by the 2006 death of Captain Nichola Goddard from The Trews' hometown of Antigonish, NS. Canada's Highway of Heroes, is the section of the MacDonald-Cartier freeway named to honour those who have sacrificed all in service of country.

You can purchase "Highway of Heroes" world-wide exclusively via iTunes.
Net proceeds from sales will benefit the Canadian Hero Fund, an organization that assists the families of Canadian military personnel through academic scholarships.
The video was directed by Tim Martin.

Canadian Statistics for our military

	WW I	WW II
% population of Canada serving	4%	9%

Visit My Muskoka for Remembrance Day post coverage.
This graph shows the percentage of troops who served in various wars, and the percent of those troops that died, were wounded, or became POWs.

WW I (1914 - 1918)

One veteran remains from WW I, out of an army of 328,736.

WW II (1939 - 1945)

As of March 1st, there were 163,500 veterans of WW II alive, of the 1, 031,902 who served

44,927 died and 53,145 were wounded, (including 19 women), 8,271 POWs.

In 2005 they were dying at 300 per week.

By 2009 they are dying, 400 a week, of natural causes. In all, 155,000 remain alive as of Nov. 11, 2009.

In WW II, a little over 50% of all males 18 - 40, served in the army, except from Quebec, which was about 25%.

Average age is 86. The youngest would be 82.

Korean War (1950 - 1953)

In the Korean War, 26,781 served, 516 died, 1558 wounded, 33 POWs.

There are 12, 500 still alive.

Since 1947, excluding Korea, 121 Canadians have been killed in peacekeeping operations (Cypress, Africa, Bosnia, Middle East).

Since 1947, there are approximately,  550,000 veterans, whose average age is 54.

Including the Cold War, and peacekeeping, 590,000 veterans were created including all of these services.

The ones killed in action we have gathered to honour, but many serve and continue to serve.

Gulf War (1990 - 1991)

Afghanistan (2002 - present)

Canada's Wounded Vets Wage New Battle on the Home Front (2007)
To date, more than 300 Canadian soldiers have been wounded in Afghanistan - some in battle, some by accident. Nearly half - 136 - were so badly hurt they needed to be flown back to Canada. Few have returned to work. Most, including Barnewall, have settled into a daily routine of physiotherapy and uncertainty. For them, the war on terror proved to be much more than a six-month tour.

 Canadians wounded in Afghanistan top 360...CBC News
28 Dec 2008 ... Canadians wounded in Afghanistan top 360 in past 3 years

CANADIAN WOUNDED AND INJURED IN AFGHANISTAN AT ALMOST 1000
2 Apr 2009 ... Ottawa Citizen;

Canadians in Afghanistan

Canadians in Afghanistan. Canada has been America's ally in Afghanistan from 2002.