Thank you for your question.
I wanted to come before the committee today to speak to you all because you are the body that can make a difference. You hear many things from many people. You affect policies. You affect legislation.
It's very important for me to sit here in person before you so that you can hear my story, our family's story, with the hopes that you are able and willing to make this change. It's so important. I was reading the committee mandate, and it says, “Pursuant to the Standing Orders, the government is required to respond to the opinions and recommendations presented in ACVA reports if so requested by the Committee.”
I'm here today in the hopes that you will help to effect change, not only for my family, but also for other veterans going through similar circumstances. Many are silent. They don't know how to ask for help. My heart goes out to those who cannot, because the freedoms we have today are only here because of those in the past who fought for us. Now, we really have to reciprocate. We have to fight for them, and that's why I'm here today.