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The Spent Goods:
Why Our Veterans Deserve Infrastructure, Not an Exit Strategy I Bill Vassilopoulos
7/7/20262 min read
The Spent Goods:
Why Our Veterans Deserve Infrastructure, Not an Exit Strategy I Bill Vassilopoulos
As we just celebrated Canada Day and the historic 250th Independence Day of America, the fireworks and parades leave behind a cold reminder. We wave flags and celebrate the birth and endurance of two nations, but we routinely ignore the human foundation that keeps them standing: our military veterans.
We praise their sacrifice on holidays, but how do we treat them when the banners are packed away?
Meeting Jon Reyes was supposed to be a strict fifteen-minute window. His receptionist at the Manitoba Legislature made that entirely clear: he was exceptionally busy, the schedule was tight, and time was short. Entering the office of a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and the Special Envoy for Military Affairs, the air carried a distinct, nerve-wracking pressure.
But when you sit across from a former soldier to talk about the reality of service, fifteen minutes isn't enough to scratch the surface of what Post-Traumatic Stress actually carries.
Writing Chapter Three of my book, Eyes Above the Water—titled Suicide and Mental Health—was an eye-opener to say the absolute least. Sitting with Mr. Reyes, I learned deeply about the immense weight and power that PTS carries on our soldiers long after they return from the battlefield. It is a very hard truth that most civilians cannot, or simply will not, relate to. But that does not mean we get to shy away from these difficult conversations.
During the last three years, my travels have brought me face-to-face with many veterans. It is incredible to hear these men’s stories, but it is equally sobering to see the scars they still carry. With every single account shared with me, I look for one thing: where does their strength come from to keep moving forward in life?
No two stories are ever the same. Many veterans have become completely blind to their own resilience, so I always make it a point to highlight the explicit bravery in their journey. When I point out the light they carried through the darkness, many look at me and reply, "I never saw it that way." I make it my mission to leave them with a psychological anchor before a long conversation ends.
We live in a tough world; that is the reality of life. But there is a line between a tough world and an indifferent system.
I am deeply appalled by the failures within our government and healthcare system when stories surface of medical staff offering Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) to veterans who are simply seeking psychological support. Our nations were built on the backs of these individuals. To offer them an exit strategy instead of infrastructure is an absolute betrayal. Our veterans are to be honored, supported, and actively reminded of their great sacrifices. They are not an inconvenience. They are not a line-item liability or spent goods to be quietly disposed of when their utility on the battlefield is concluded.
They need to be reminded of what the bureaucracy is trying to make them forget.
Whether you have worn the uniform yourself, or you are fighting alongside someone who did, clear away the noise of the holiday rhetoric and anchor yourself to this truth:
You are Irreplaceable.
You are Unrepeatable.
You are Highly Valued.
If you know someone who has served our country, Chapter Three of Eyes Above the Water will help you understand the specific weight our military veterans carry, and exactly how to be a real, functional support to them when they are feeling down.
Stop letting mainstream institutions or social media echo chambers dictate a person's worth. Download your digital copy today, and let's spread the word that we are making a genuine difference in this world.
Warmly, your friend,
Bill Vassilopoulos