Topic: Supporting our Wounded Soldiers - Discussion of Various Funds Available

[military granny]

This is so amazing, that they would come up with this idea. And lets hope they don't have to use them all !

http://www.ppcli.com/files/OpSmallPack.pdf

[Cataract Kid]

I'm sorry but, as a member of said regiment you can paint me with the cynical brush....What the hell is a wounded soldier going to do with a miniature camp flag?
As well

PPCLI Association crest and the Regimental hat badge. Included was a letter from the
President, along with a tag on the bag, on who we are and how to join.

?
Is this supposed to be part of a recruiting drive for the association?

Bring it, I've got big shoulders.

[X Royal]

Blakey I can't disagree with you.
The idea of the small packs for all wounded is great.
The regimental identification on the items to represent the donors is also not a problem.
But the attempt to get assoc. members from those requiring the kits is in my opinion going a little too far.

Pro Patria

[Journeyman]

OK then, I'll try and lay my opinion gently upon your big shoulders.......

This looks like a great idea. It fills a need. It shows initiative. Any belittling comes across as petty and missing the whole point - - the on-line equivalent of picking fly-crap out of pepper. No matter how wonderful the silver lining, some people will see only the cloud.

The miniature flag merely shows unit pride. I'm not VP, but I have no heartache with it. These troops will be in an American military hospital - - PPCLI have a linked history with US units. Someone may see it, and it will sink in that Canada IS paying its way...at the high rate of exchange - - Canadian soldiers' lives.

The Association membership info is simply marketing. I'm sure they don't expect the casualty to fill out a membership form; if someone sees this package, and the positive effect it is having on the soldier, and it provides them with info on how they can support the Association / hospital package program, is that a bad thing? And if it DOES cause one more soldier to join the Association, so that they can possibly produce more good for the troops, is THAT a bad thing? Not in my opinion.

My shoulders, however, are not that big.....so please keep your whiny pettiness to yourself.

[military granny]

IMPO ......Guys don't you think that any sign of home for these men or women would be comfort to them.The soldiers that will receive these packs are a long way from what they know, home, platoon,and other Canadians. To me the regimental flag etc. of the PPCLI would be a comfort because while on tour this is what they see. You few that are complaining about the regimental flag, would you want to see a regiment in A'stan without pride in their brothers at arms. Without the pride we have in all our regiments we would have dissension in the ranks. And where would that get us?

[Cansoldier89]

    As someone thats stayed in Langstuhl and been a guest of the system, I agree that this is a need that had to be filled. In my case as well as one other that I have personal experience with, our escort out of theatre was given money by the Canadian hospital staff in order to purchase us some suitable clothing to wear around the hospital outside of the usual issued gown or scrubs. When we left Germany we were wearing donated clothing from an unknown source (ie outdoor apparel). Underwear, socks etc. all had to be purchased for us in Germany. We also had to have toiletries bought for us as well. This all came about after getting over our initial trepidation in asking for this stuff as we had no idea what our entitlements were. All we were told was if we needed anything just ask.(rather vague)This did not include beer by the way. (ha)
    We also had a Marine from Iraq in our room (IED blast). He had his initial "wounded warrior"  pack upon arrival, (toiletries, shorts ,t-shirt, underwear, socks, writing material, and a few other items that I cannot remember but it even included  a CD player although I'm sure he hadn't grabbed his CD collection before being evacuated. He also had a 250.00 clothing allowance to get him back home and someone dedicated to shopping for these items for him.  (ie size, style, colour preference, footwear req'd etc.)
     Now I appreciate that as Cdn soldiers we may not receive all that the Americans get but being in that situation you should not have to "ask" for anything. What is available should be offered and if not required used for the next unfortunate soldier.
     As for the regimental stuff, The Americans had their national flag (cloth) as well as a unit flag (cloth) outside of their rooms. We had a Sheila Copps freebie paper flag glued to a straw (CHEAP PRICKS). So in this case as long as there is a real Cdn flag outside the doors of the wounded and a camp flag (Patricia) to go along with the Patricia inside I see no harm.
     The flag point was something I brought up to the staff as I left.
     Thanks for the rant.

[Michael O'Leary]

Cansoldier89, thank you very much for your perspective on this and for sharing your experience with such candor.

Pro Patria

[Kat Stevens]

Okay, so does this apply only wounded Patricias, then?  There is also an Engineer Sqn, some gun bunnies, armd troops, plus a zillion other trades over there.  I'm not trying to pick fly poo out of the pepper, but what about their Regimental Pride?  You may fire when ready....

[Michael Dorosh]

IMPO ......Guys don't you think that any sign of home for these men or women would be comfort to them.The soldiers that will receive these packs are a long way from what they know, home, platoon,and other Canadians. To me the regimental flag etc. of the PPCLI would be a comfort because while on tour this is what they see. You few that are complaining about the regimental flag, would you want to see a regiment in A'stan without pride in their brothers at arms. Without the pride we have in all our regiments we would have dissension in the ranks. And where would that get us?

And if that "Patricia" is really a reservist from one of dozens of other regimetns, to whom he already pays association dues?

In all honesty though, it is a good idea reminiscent of what the Auxiliary Services did in the world wars.

[military granny]

Gentlemen does it really matter which regiment picked this up and ran with it? If it was the Engineers or Armored , who cares so long as one of them did it. The men or women that end up in Germany I'm sure don't care so long as they have something to wear that their backsides aren't sticking out for the world to see. And don't have to depend on some one to go get them shaving and hygiene equipment. I'm just saying it was a great idea no matter who did it.

[Kat Stevens]

I agree, it is a great idea.... but would a Patricia be delighted to wear red over blue kit covered in Engineer logos? 

[military granny]

Well Kat
The alternative is a hospital gown with their butt hanging out so when you have a 6 foot tall 200 pound soldier with his butt,among other things, hanging out of one of those fancy gowns I think they would put on almost anything. And whether its PPCLI Burgundy or Engineer red and blue I think it would matter not.

[Kat Stevens]

Okay, you win, I'm an idiot....never mind...Ric A Dam Doo's all around

[Cansoldier89]

   This discussion just sets up everyone else's organisations to follow suit. Why not an engineer kit or arty or whoever. Let's just get it done through are own associations then. Although IMOI a generic (ie. no regimental affiliation) kit may have been the best route. This is not to snipe at the Patricia's associations efforts.

[Kat Stevens]

The Engineer Association is a joke, wrapped in travesty, concealed in a cash grab.... never happen

[military granny]

For sure Cansoldier  That would be the best idea. This is something our government should have had at the ready long ago, but they didn't have a whole lot to do with the military till the last couple months. But that's another subject. And I'm sure that if the rest of the regiments picked this up as well it would be a great thing, as I said it matters not who did it as long as its available.

[the 48th regulator]

Fantastic Idea,

I know I went through the same situation as Cansoldier89, way back in '94, and how awkward it was to ask for anything even though card blanche was offered to us byt the Americans.

Good going Military Granny for brining this up.

dileas

tess

[Cataract Kid]

I stand by my comment, wether people like it or not.
I wasn't sniping at the "act" of sending these much needed items persay, it was the ulterior motives that I perceived that raised my brow.

As I had explained to Cansoldier89 earlier today at work, a little anonymity goes a long way, why must someone (or for that matter some organizations) feel the need to promote their cause while carrying out these good deeds.

[the 48th regulator]

As I had explained to Cansoldier89 earlier today at work, a little anonymity goes a long way, why must someone (or for that matter some organizations) feel the need to promote their cause while carrying out these good deeds.

What cause would that be??  Take care my injured brother your regimenatal family cares for you......

God forbid eh? 

dileas

tess

[Cataract Kid]

Whatever possessed you to think that I thought that taking care of regimental brothers, as you put it, was a bad thing?
Why are you reading into what I have posted, seems clear to me,
I have a problem with the association trying to recruit new members with these packages.
There, now its all in bold letters so people won't be confused...

[Michael O'Leary]

And why would you consider it such a bad thing for the Association to encourage Regimental members to join?  It's not as if joining the Association is the price of the package. 

[the 48th regulator]

Why are you reading into what I have posted, seems clear to me,
I have a problem with the association trying to recruit new members with these packages.

And maybe be able to have the soldiers of today who will join, and offer an input on what best to put in the package.

There is no concpiracy theory that I see.

dileas

tess

[military granny]

Gents I really don't see anything wrong with info on the association in these care packages. It doesnot mean these men and women will sign up but maybe there are members of the PPCLI that don't know what the association is all about and it will steer them one way or the other,who knows but its not as if there is some BIG HAIRY MONSTER of a Sergent standing over these people making them sign on the dotted line, is there?

[iramac]

:)I am impressed with the initiative of those ppcli involved in looking out for those in need of some personal care. those needing that personal touch wont let anyone know that they need it and keep their strength to appear strong , as a survival mechanism. i know from personal experience as a sufferer of ptsd that the caring of others is so necessary and that the uncaring of some is so destructive. I was with the ppcli first battalion in calgary and am currently a calgary police officer involved in the fatal shooting of a Sudanese male after he had stabbed me in the bicep. the lack of support during crucial moments is devastating. Great work on the support for those in need, ira

[recceguy]

Who gives a rat's *** what flag or application is in the package. What if it was the Legion? Who really cares? If I was still there, and wounded, I'd have no problem putting the PPCLI flag on my table if they sent it to me. It would be a reminder that SOMEONE in Canada was still thinking of me.

I guess it's easy to to see fault in a simple gesture when your head is up your ***.