In late January Veterans Affairs Canada contacted the National office of the RCMPVA to ascertain if an RCMP Veteran could be identified to participate in a National Commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the end of the 1st Persian Gulf War (the invasion of Kuwait).
This Commemoration was scheduled for the end of February 2026 in Halifax. As a result, the national office contacted the President of Nova Scotia RCMPVA to seek a candidate. President McNaughton contacted me to see if I would be interested as I had an overseas mission (Afghanistan) on my resume.
Thinking this would be an afternoon event which I could drive in to participate in I agreed.
Days later I was contacted by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) for some background info and advised that the program would run from Wednesday Feb 25th to Saturday the 28th!!!
On the 25th of February I travelled into Halifax and checked into the hotel and then attended a gathering in one of the hotel banquet rooms. The room was full of retired CAF members who were reconnecting and sharing stories and catching up on their lives post service.
The schedule of events for the next 3 days was significant. I learned that the event was the result of a series of meetings between the Persian Gulf War Veterans of Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion and other Veterans Groups (including the RCMPVA) with VAC to recognize the service of CAF members who served in the Gulf War, to recognize the illness known as Gulf War Syndrome and to commemorate their service through events such as the one taking place here in Halifax.
The event was the product of VAC responding to a report made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA). The report made 5 recommendations as follows:
- VAC abolish the “wartime service veteran” category in its policies and instead list all qualifying areas of conflict or operations for disability compensation under the Insurance Principle.
- The Minister of Veterans Affairs establish a legislative framework for designating “war emergency operations” and “war zone operations.”
- The Department of National Defence provide ACVA with a detailed explanation of the policy prohibiting dual recognition of medals and undertake a review of this policy.
- VAC immediately consult with Persian Gulf War veterans to implement, by the 35th anniversary in 2026, commemorative measures that reflect the value of their service from the veterans’ perspective.
- VAC recognize Gulf War Syndrome as a compensable condition, with further research conducted in cooperation with allied countries.
It was interesting to learn that the Government of Canada does not recognize veterans who served in the Persian Gulf, Bosnia or Afghanistan as War Veterans. They are all classified as “special Duty service” veterans.
Obviously, this is a main component of their advocacy – to have a designation added to the Veterans Well Being Act to recognize war service in countries outside of Canada in which the Government of Canada deploys members of the CAF (or RCMP).
There is a Private Members Bill going forward in the House later this year to try and amend the legislation to more accurately reflect the service of Canadians in overseas missions.
The events of this February Commemoration we a response to recommendation # 4.
The events were as follows:
Thursday Feb 26th AM
-Delegation attends the Fairview Legion for a wreath laying ceremony
-Delegation attends the Naval Museum and observes the Gulf War exhibits.
PM
Delegation attends the Nova Scotia Legislature where an acknowledgement and Proclamation is made in the legislature.
Return to hotel for a Minister’s meet and greet -coin presentation
Dinner
Attend Bayers Lake Theatre for showing of Persian Gulf Documentary
Friday Feb 27th AM
Delegation attends Shearwater Aviation Museum Tours exhibits
Wreath laying ceremony for crew of Stalker 22 Memorial
PM
Delegation attends Government house and meets with Lieutenant Governor
Delegation attends City Hall -Wreath laying at Provincial Cenotaph at Grand Parade, then meet with Halifax Mayor
Delegation then spent the evening at the Chief’s and PO’s Mess CFB Stadacona for an evening of Open Mike Night.
Saturday Feb 28 AM
Delegation attends Jetty at CFB Halifax for Signature Ceremony. Sail Past/ Fly Past
then attend HMCS Scotian for speeches and ceremony.
PM
Delegation attends the Fairview Legion for lunch and presentations and open mike comments.
Farewell Dinner
It was a great honour to attend these events and to be associated with a fine group of veterans who served Canadians in difficult circumstances and as usual, punched above their weight. If you have not had an opportunity to look into the activities of the CAF in the Persian Gulf War, you should delve into it and see what our small but highly effective service personnel achieved.
Howard Eaton
NSRCMPVA
