Maybe some noise and letter writing is having the desired effect.
Members of the Royal Canadian Legion say veterans benefits will be at the forefront during a national conference in Halifax.
More than 1,200 members from across the country are attending the five-day conference, which began with registration Saturday. Business sessions get underway Monday.
While the group has gathered to pay respects to its history, some legionnaires say the current debate over the handling of veterans benefits is taking the spotlight.
"They fight, they die for their country," said Legion member Gary White. "The ones that come back, they have fight all over to get their benefits. I think it should be more seamless."
In February, veterans ombudsman Guy Parent said Veterans Affairs Canada's letters to former soldiers who have been denied disability benefits revealed a pattern of providing information, but no adequate explanation of how decisions are made.
Since then, veterans have been speaking out about their cases.
Medric Cousineau has been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder since a devastating rescue operation off the coast of Newfoundland in 1986.
Only now is he able to talk about his case. He said it's good to see the legion talking about what happens after a crisis.
"So many of those who are afflicted are falling through the cracks, through the safety net," he said. "Is the legion becoming conscious? Yes, I would say definitely."
The national convention is held every two years.
The conference continues through Wednesday.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/06/11/ns-veterans-halifax-meeting.html
