Veterans Affairs committee  It's more individual on my part. It's not really a group thing. Yes, I am part of a veterans group, and when I need a little help promoting something I'll ask my friends and members of the group, my brothers and sisters, to help. Usually if there's any cost involved, it's absorbed by our own paycheques, but it's mostly an individual effort.

Veterans Affairs committee  You wanted me to explain...?

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes, absolutely. That's the number one thing: to know where the veterans are and to keep track of them. I know everybody is overworked and overtaxed with their duties, but you have people who served Canada and stood up for this government's mandate and did what they wanted them to do in wherever they were doing it.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's a good question. Thank you for that. Keeping track of releasing members from the military would be a great way. I've been out 15 years now, and I've never had one phone call saying, “How are you doing? You did 26 years, some of it in pretty crappy conditions in the North Atlantic, in boiler rooms and engine rooms.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Samson. I do see progress. I do. Just recently an email came in on the My VAC Account where you could order a book that would have your name at the top of it and that would explain the services available to you. Seeing as I've been out 15 years, I pretty much know the services I have, but for people getting out now or in the future, if they're made aware that they can order that booklet specifically for them, that would help with the services.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes. I think it's a little bit of an obstacle course trying to get your voice heard or trying to get your question or your suggestion to the right person. I'm dealing with Bell Canada right now regarding the rates they're charging veterans and I'm trying to get the top guy's ear.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you, Andy. Thank you for reaching out. It's exciting to have an idea and to see it help a veteran or get a policy changed or to see the veteran living day to day in a better way because, maybe, I or a group of us have spoken out and brought awareness of a situation to our policy-makers and rule-makers at the high level.

Veterans Affairs committee  Good evening. Good afternoon. Thank you for having me here. I have to correct you on the rank thing. That's my profession now that I'm out of the navy; I'm a boat captain. I never got to the high rank of a naval captain—just to straighten that out. I love our veterans. I spent 26 years in the navy, and when I see inconsistencies or wrongs, things that are not proper with regard to our senior veterans—mostly in long-term care but that's not always the case—I have to step forward.