Veterans

At 102 years old, Peter Chance had the opportunity to take to the skies again – and even take the controls – thanks to friend Paul Seguna and the Victoria Flying Club. (Courtesy of Paul Seguna)

‘Excitement beyond measure’: B.C. vet takes to the skies again to pilot a plane at 102

Peter Chance took flight, and the controls, thanks to friend Paul Seguna and the Victoria Flying Club

 

Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence Lawrence MacAulay rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday, March 25, 2022. A union representing thousands of Veterans Affairs Canada employees is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to replace MacAulay.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

Rehab contract sparks fresh battle between veterans and the Liberal government

Union of Veterans Affairs Employees says major issues remain

 

Rowena Rizzotti. (Submitted photo)

Surrey’s $312M Legion Veterans Village first of its kind in Canada

‘We just made what people thought would be impossible, possible,’ says project lead Rowena Rizzotti

 

Nishika Jardine

Veterans Ombud visits Vancouver, Island, Okanagan on B.C. trip

RCMP, CAF and veterans invited to town halls

Nishika Jardine
Wounded Warriors runners arrive in Port Alberni during an awreness event on March 3, 2022. The organization offers support programs for veterans, first responders and their families. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Course aims to fill gap by training therapists on needs of veterans, first responders

Many front-line workers say the practices of conventional therapists aren’t working for them

Wounded Warriors runners arrive in Port Alberni during an awreness event on March 3, 2022. The organization offers support programs for veterans, first responders and their families. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
The ornamental pond at Langley’s memorial to the Korean War, in the Derek Doubleday Arboretum, has now been finished and filled with water. (Michael Chang/Special to the Langley Advance Times)

Pond, ancient statues to transform Langley’s Korean War memorial garden

Memorial to Battle of Kapyong expanding

The ornamental pond at Langley’s memorial to the Korean War, in the Derek Doubleday Arboretum, has now been finished and filled with water. (Michael Chang/Special to the Langley Advance Times)
Physician assistants are valued members of other provinces’ healthcare systems, but the B.C. government does not recognize their qualifications. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

Military and university-trained physician assistants rejected by B.C.’s health system

They are ready and willing, but due to provincial policies, these healthcare workers are not able

Physician assistants are valued members of other provinces’ healthcare systems, but the B.C. government does not recognize their qualifications. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE
Derek Doubleday Arboretum is one of Sarah Vandergugten’s favourite places to walk. “We often stop at the Afghanistan Memorial. The 2022 Silver Cross Mother is Candy Greff. Her son, Master Corporal Byron Greff of the Princess Patricia Light Infantry was the last of 158 Canadian soldiers to die in Afghanistan. It’s good to remember,” she said. (Special to Langley Advance Times)

SHARE: A spot for tranquil reflection – year round

Send us your photo showing how you view Langley, and it could be featured in a future edition

  • Nov 21, 2022
Derek Doubleday Arboretum is one of Sarah Vandergugten’s favourite places to walk. “We often stop at the Afghanistan Memorial. The 2022 Silver Cross Mother is Candy Greff. Her son, Master Corporal Byron Greff of the Princess Patricia Light Infantry was the last of 158 Canadian soldiers to die in Afghanistan. It’s good to remember,” she said. (Special to Langley Advance Times)
Tyler DeJong and Mandy Kirkpatrick were rowing for Honour House on Saturday morning, Nov. 12, as a 24-hour fundraising rowathon drew to a close in Langley. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: How a Langley row-a-thon for veterans got started

24-hour Remembrance Day event raises funds for Honour House

Tyler DeJong and Mandy Kirkpatrick were rowing for Honour House on Saturday morning, Nov. 12, as a 24-hour fundraising rowathon drew to a close in Langley. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
After the Remembrance Day service at the Fort Langley cenotaph, people placed their poppies on the plinth. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Fort Langley remembers veterans’ sacrifices as hundreds pack Remembrance Day event

From seniors to young children, the crowd was back to pre-pandemic numbers this year

After the Remembrance Day service at the Fort Langley cenotaph, people placed their poppies on the plinth. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
A few businesses and organizations in town offer freebies for veterans on Remembrance Day, as a way to say thanks for their service. (Black Press Media)

TODAY: Free for veterans

Tim Hortons offers complimentary hot beverages, TransLink provides transit, Mobil1 gives oil changes

A few businesses and organizations in town offer freebies for veterans on Remembrance Day, as a way to say thanks for their service. (Black Press Media)
Veteran Stephen LaSalle is shown in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. When LaSalle first injured his foot in a military training exercise, he had only heard the stories about what it was like to deal with Veterans Affairs Canada. Five years later, the reservist naval lieutenant can talk about the experience firsthand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Frustration, anxiety persist as Liberals claim success on wait times for veterans

An estimated 23,000 veterans are waiting for their disability claims to be processed by the federal department

Veteran Stephen LaSalle is shown in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. When LaSalle first injured his foot in a military training exercise, he had only heard the stories about what it was like to deal with Veterans Affairs Canada. Five years later, the reservist naval lieutenant can talk about the experience firsthand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Lloyd Reynard showed a station card issued to him. It kept track of how many beer, rum, and cigarette rations went to each sailor, and also listed his rank, mess number, birthday, religion, and whether or not he would accept rations of alcohol. More about local Remembrance Day services on page 12. (Frank Bucholtz/Special to The Star)

Military vital to peace: Langley veteran

Lloyd Reynard learned the value of being prepared while he was in the navy

  • Nov 11, 2022
Lloyd Reynard showed a station card issued to him. It kept track of how many beer, rum, and cigarette rations went to each sailor, and also listed his rank, mess number, birthday, religion, and whether or not he would accept rations of alcohol. More about local Remembrance Day services on page 12. (Frank Bucholtz/Special to The Star)
John Swityk at age 97 in 2018 at a Langley Remembrance Day event. The D-Day veteran turned 100 last year. (Langley Advance Times files)

In Our View: From memory into history

We need new ways to mark the great wars as many veterans die of old age

  • Nov 10, 2022
John Swityk at age 97 in 2018 at a Langley Remembrance Day event. The D-Day veteran turned 100 last year. (Langley Advance Times files)
A veteran posed for a picture by the Langley City cenotaph at the 2019 Remembrance Day service. (Langley Advance Times file)

WEB POLL: Attending a Remembrance Day event?

Will you be attending in person this year?

  • Nov 10, 2022
A veteran posed for a picture by the Langley City cenotaph at the 2019 Remembrance Day service. (Langley Advance Times file)
The Victoria Cross Medal belonging to Pte. James Peter Robertson is seen in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Tilston Memorial Collection of Canadian Military Medals, Canadian War Museum

‘War hero of the family’: Canadian War Museum acquires 3 more Victoria Crosses

Museum now has 36 of the 73 Victoria Crosses awarded to Canadians in the First World War

The Victoria Cross Medal belonging to Pte. James Peter Robertson is seen in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Tilston Memorial Collection of Canadian Military Medals, Canadian War Museum
A veteran posed for a picture by the Langley City cenotaph at the 2019 Remembrance Day service. This year, the in-person ceremony will return. (Langley Advance Times file)

City returns with in-person Remembrance Day traditions

No parade and fly-past this year

A veteran posed for a picture by the Langley City cenotaph at the 2019 Remembrance Day service. This year, the in-person ceremony will return. (Langley Advance Times file)
Veteran Stephen LaSalle is shown in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. When LaSalle first injured his foot in a military training exercise, he had only heard the stories about what it was like to deal with Veterans Affairs Canada. Five years later, the reservist naval lieutenant can talk about the experience firsthand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Frustration, anxiety persist as Liberals claim success on wait times for veterans

More than 23,000 veterans have disability claims that are waiting to be processed

Veteran Stephen LaSalle is shown in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. When LaSalle first injured his foot in a military training exercise, he had only heard the stories about what it was like to deal with Veterans Affairs Canada. Five years later, the reservist naval lieutenant can talk about the experience firsthand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Cobra Electric’s Doug Grande and team rehung a series of Remembrance Day banners in front of the Fort Langley National Historic Site, and were moved to Google each veteran’s name to learn more about their sacrifices. (Richard Jewer/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Banners help localize significance of Remembrance Day

Pictorial tributes raised in Langley City and Fort Langley ahead of Nov. 11 services

Cobra Electric’s Doug Grande and team rehung a series of Remembrance Day banners in front of the Fort Langley National Historic Site, and were moved to Google each veteran’s name to learn more about their sacrifices. (Richard Jewer/Special to Langley Advance Times)
Chief Petty Officer First Class (retired) Jake McDavid stands in Ottawa, on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Veterans’ parade returns to national Remembrance Day after two-year hiatus

Parade was cancelled the past two years due to health concerns associated with the COVID-19

Chief Petty Officer First Class (retired) Jake McDavid stands in Ottawa, on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
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