We talk about the bill of rights for veterans, but most veterans are very concerned about their families, about what will happen when the veterans pass on. Some people would like to see a bill of rights for veterans and their families. You talk about the widows of veterans who are deemed not eligible for VIP. You talked earlier about the pension allotment that is allowed to be left behind.
There's a concern across the country regarding what is called the gold digger clause. If a veteran remarries before age 60 and then dies years later, his second spouse is entitled to his pension. But if that veteran marries at 60 or above, the second spouse is not entitled to anything. They call this the gold digger clause, and this is something a fair number of people want changed.
Would it not be helpful for a bill of rights for veterans to focus on the family, as the new Veterans Charter does?
I believe one of the reasons the Legion supported the new Veterans Charter was that it didn't concentrate only on the veteran. With respect to benefit packages, it also concentrated on the children and the spouse of the veteran.