Veterans Affairs committee  Actually, this would include RCMP officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, yes.

Veterans Affairs committee  How about I send you a letter?

Veterans Affairs committee  I can only assume that a person's family could associate that. We've never tackled that specific issue as a veterans organization at the table. For me to sit here today and give you a definitive answer would be wrong because I would probably be crucified at the next meeting I'm going to.

Veterans Affairs committee  I can only add to what Gerry has said. Certainly the Legion's preference would be to not lower the flag. We feel that November 11 is the one and only day that should recognize all Canadian Forces veterans throughout time, be it in war or in peacekeeping duties. Our preference would be not to lower the flag.

Veterans Affairs committee  I would really hate to get hung up on the semantics of “peacekeeping” or “peacemaking”. Each and every individual, and especially the veterans organizations, know what August 9 means, not only to the veteran group but to anybody who served Canada overseas in the mission of helping keep the peace.

Veterans Affairs committee  I would like to add my comments on it, and I appreciate what you said, Roger. However, I would defer to Comrade Ethell's comments on particularly the 9th of August, being that it's a date that basically has already been recognized across Canada as a unique day to Canadian Forces personnel, a unique day to our Canadian Forces veterans.

Veterans Affairs committee  Mr. Chairman, honourable members of Parliament, and comrades all, obviously you know who I am. I am Jack Frost, president of the Royal Canadian Legion. I have with me Brad White, who is the director of administration at our headquarters. I likewise am only here to add support to the peacekeepers in their bid for this.

Veterans Affairs committee  I would also like to go on record as saying that even though it may appear that we've taken maybe what you would call a shot at VRAB, it certainly was not our intention to have done so, because we truly believe they do a magnificent job. Sometimes we disagree with the outcomes, but overall we believe they and the department as well are well in tune with helping the veterans.

Veterans Affairs committee  We're also pushing for amalgamation. We've looked at the whole structure of zones, districts, and branches, but one of the obstacles we run up against when we recommend it is the pride in that branch, “I belong to Branch 620 and I'll be darned if I'm going to amalgamate.” It's a problem we are working on.

Veterans Affairs committee  And he's doing a good job. I would let my colleague here further amplify what I just said.

Veterans Affairs committee  You've asked a lot of questions there. First of all, with respect to the national structure, a branch is autonomous as long as it stays within the constitution and the general bylaws of Dominion Command and their provincial command. Some branches have their own bylaws, and as long as everything stays within the overall envelope....

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you.

Veterans Affairs committee  Certainly, I'd love to discuss this with you further, Mr. Perron. I couldn't agree with you more in your comments. You're spot on about where the ombudsman has to be independent, and as you said, he can't be afraid of getting bit by the person he's reporting to. But in this case he's reporting to Parliament and not the minister--in the ideal situation.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's a hard act to follow, Mrs. Hinton. I thank you very much for your compliments. Certainly there's the issue of our declining membership, which now is in the neighbourhood of 400,000. At one time we peaked at 602,000. We still maintain the same services and programs as 15 years ago, but it's getting harder and harder.

Veterans Affairs committee  I believe he should have a legal background. I don't necessarily believe he would require a military background. Certainly if he had some medical in his background, I'm sure that would help too, but that's not a decision we really want to make. We're more prepared for and would like to see the reporting structure than we are for who is actually picked.