The Canadian Vietnam Veterans Association is made up of individuals who served
in the U.S. armed forces during the Vietnam War. We are dedicated to assist and support Vietnam and Vietnam Era Veterans and
their families. We have always worked to better the lot of those who served honorably in the armed forces of the U.S. and
returned home to Canada. Besides obtaining medical benefits for the vets here in Canada and working hard to become recognized
as legitimate Canadian veterans, much has been accomplished.
The Canadian Vietnam Veterans Association was organized
during the early months of 1986. Mr Rob Purvis of Winnipeg decided to try contacting other Canadian veterans. He sent articles
to papers across Canada, asking other Vietnam veterans to write to him. Over the following months many veterans responded.
The association was set up as a fraternal organization, with the objective of trying to obtain up here in Canada those
benefits available to veterans residing in the United States. Also, we wished to set up a committee to help veterans with
problems or questions and get them channeled in the right direction.
A reunion of Canadian Vietnam Veterans was organized
for Washington, D.C. in the third week of September 1986. Besides a reunion, it was planned to have meetings with the government
to see if we could get changes made in legislation so that veterans could obtain their benefits up here in Canada. The reunion
was a complete success. We were well received by government officeals and by hundreds of American Vietnam vets who turned
out to participate in the ceremonies and social evenings with us. On Friday morning, 19 September 1986 we met with Veterans
Affairs at American Legion Headquarters. In the afternoon we met with Congressional Veterans Affairs Committee, headed by
Congressman Lane Evans. At both meetings we were treated with respect, courtesy, and a sympathetic view toward our problems.
Everybody promised to do whatever they could to help us. The reunion concluded on Saturday evening, after a very moving ceremony
at the Vietnam Memorial. Approximately 80 Canadians from across Canada came for the reunion.
Results of our Washington
pilgrimage weren't long in coming. On the 14 February 1987 long weekend, Veterans Affairs pesonnel, and veterans from Montana
came to Calgary, Alberta to host a seminar on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Vietnam vets from across Canada attended. On
April 1, 1987 a bill to extend medical benefits to veterans in Canada was reaqd out to the Senate and reffered to the Committee
on Veterans Affairs.
In the spring of 1987 we started making contact with Vietnam Veterans of America chapters across
the border in North Dakota. On the July 17-19 weekend we attended the Fifth Annual State Vietnam Veterans of America Picnic
in Minot. Vets from Montana were also in attendance. The State Fair was on and we were privileged to march with all the Vietnam
veterans, at the head of the State Fair parade. The 1/3 replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall was there in Minot. We were asked
to provide a Canadian flag to fly along side the American and Notrh Dakota flags at the site of the Memorial Wall. On Saturday,
Britt Small asked for the words to our National Anthem and at the closing ceremonies Britt Small and Festival sang "O Canada"
in our honor. Britt Small served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam. He and his group entertain all across the United
States, singing music from the Vietnam era and sons about the war. It was a real tribute to Canadian Vietnam vets to be honored
in such a manner.
On November 11, 1987, having been refused permission by the Royal Canadian
Legion to participate in the official Remembrance Day service, The CVVA held their own ceremony at the Winnipeg Cenotaph.
We had an excellent turnout, including quite a number of Legion, Hong Kong, and Army Navy & Air Force Veterans.
On May 13, 1988 we received the good news that Congress passed the bill authorizing
Canadian Vietnam veterans to receive medical treatment here in Canada. That same weekend we were officially recognized
by the Army Navy and Air Force Veterans here in Manitoba.
The resolution went to the Dominion Convention and was passed unanimously.
On June 12, 1988 the ANAF invited us to participate in a memorial parade in Selkirk, Manitoba. This was the first time
we had been invited to participate in a parade being hosted by Canadian veterans.
On the Labour Day weekend jCanadian Vietnam vets from Manitoba attended a
memorable ceremony in Glendive, Montana. We were there for the unveiling of a monument dedicated:
"IN MEMORY OF VIETNAM AND KOREAN VETERANS OF MONTANA AND CANADA"
The Montana veterans had earlier asked us to present them with a Canadian
flag, which will be flown with the American flag at all ceremonies at the monument site. To our knowledge this is the
only monument dedicated to veterans of two countries and two wars. The black granite monument depicts a likeness of
the "Three Servicemen" statue which stands near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. It is truly
an honour for Canadian veterans to be recognized in this way.
On May 27, 1989 we participated in our first Memorial Day Ceremony at
Brookside Cemetery. Taking part with us was colour parties from Army Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canads, International
War Veterans Alliance, Hong Kong Veterans Association and the Winnipeg Grenadier Cadet Corps.
From June 30 to July 4, 1989, Vietnam veterans and their families from Winnipeg
and other parts of Canada attended aa "WELCOME HOME CANADIAN VIETNAM VETERANS" celebration in Detroit, Michigan.
To be finally given a real welcome home was deeply appreciated. It is impossible to put in words the gratitude
felt by all the Canadians for the herculean efforts of Detroit Vietnam vets Ed Johnson, Roy Sexton, and their committee who
worked so hard with them to give us this welcome home event. Thanks also to Tony Diamond of Bravo Magazine and entertainers
"Britt Small & Festival". It was a time to renew past friendships and to make new friends.
The CVVA has arranged to have veterans affairs officials come up from North
Dakota to explain how to go about filing claims and setting up a support group within our ranks.
.....TO BE CONTINUED...
![[Flag Campaign icon]](http://a1032.g.akamai.net/f/1032/81/30m/www.gamesville.lycos.com/art_gv/ribbon_small.gif){kind=small}
