Spreading the Word for a Canadian Brother

[FredGarvin]

Time for a vent...
I think I am going to break a personal rule about posting a "request for help" type of post. There are some things that people shouldn't or can't let go and this, I think, is one of them. Really, it's more along the lines of a way to get the word out and possibly discuss some things.

Basically, the story boils down to this: Jerry Billings, one of Canada's most famous aviators, a Spitfire pilot in WWII, has been having tremendous problems with the Canadian Dep't. of Veteran's Affairs regarding his well deserved benefits. If you take a bit and look through this man's history, you really can't help but have a better appreciation for what it was like for that generation of veteran and the amazing things this person was a part of. A website has been started to help raise more awareness for him.

http://www.jerrybilling.com/
http://www.jerrybilling.com/jerry_billing_dva.htm

I think any vet is going to be a bit PO'd like I was the first time I was told about Jerry's problems.
Even if you don't really want anything to do with the whole veteran's affiar aspect, reading this guy's history is fascinating and will also give you a great look at the Spitfire. The photos and video sections are fantastic! Plus a little throwback for the elders here who are the only ones who remember who Cliff Robertson was.

Thanks for letting me vent and if you can find the time, take a peek through the site. If you're Canadian (even if you're not), a quick e-mail would be a great thing.

 

[Danger]

Cripes, Fred! Thanks for posting that. That's the first I heard of it. Jerry's a buddy of mine; we belonged to the same EAA branch in Windsor until I moved out here. I can't take much time to look at that now, because I'm at work, but I sure will when I get home.

Some of the things that our government does sicken me.

 

[FredGarvin]

No prob. I have an e-mail I can forward you if you are interested. It was put out by the Australian Korean War Vets.

 

[Danger]

That'd be great. I'll print it out and leave a copy at the Legion. (Looks like I'm going to be on the executive this time around.)
You still have my e-mail address, right?

 

[JasonRox]

What should I write in the e-mail?

 

[FredGarvin]

What should I write in the e-mail?

My e-mail just said that I found it unbelievable that Jerry would be treated the way he has been. The man should be held in higher esteem. I also mentioned that the benefits that he is applying for are nothing special and are spelled out in the veteran's affairs literature. I ended the letter asking them why a man who, in my opinion, is a Canadian national treaure, is treated so blatantly poor.

Thanks for taking interest Jason.

 

[hypatia]

Thank your for the heads up on this one Fred, my e-mail has been sent. I really hope it does some good.

 

[FredGarvin]

Thanks to you too Hypatia.

 

[PerennialII]

Thank you Fred for bringing this up, one from here as well.

 

[Danger]

Something occurred to me as I was e-mailing Jerry. I mentioned the support from PF that Fred is amassing, and promised that we'd try to involve as many members as possible. To this end, I would request that Greg include something about this in the PF newsletter, since many don't visit GD. Would that violate any non-partisan political rules of PF, or fall under the category of public service?