Thank you so much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you all for being here, and for being as brave as you are, today, sharing this truth from your hearts.
Mr. Meincke, I want to mention that I was horrified when MAID was first brought in. The first place my mind and heart went to was our veterans and the potential danger involved in this.
It amazes me to hear you all say, today, that you would serve again and encourage those you love to serve, in spite of having been in theatres where you and your comrades faced death and peril, and where you participated in and witnessed incredible violence. Many have faced abuse from those who they thought would be their mentors and have their backs. You're facing challenges with your relationships and all of these things, while trying to fit into a civilian world, and yet you would still encourage them.
The one point I'm hearing is.... The whole issue that breaks the camel's back is sanctuary trauma.
In a quick, five-minute speech I got to do in a take-note debate on mental wellness, I spoke to this and said that sanctuary trauma is what happens to the spirit and mind of a veteran when they experience the failure of their government to fulfill its promise to take care of them and their families.
Would you agree with that picture? Am I painting it right?