Community Shocked

Legion president outraged by attack on
veteran, calls on comrades to support Matthews


By ROLLAND CHATER

I cannot comprehend how anyone could even think about hurting a frail man of 84 years of age but that’s what happened Sunday night when Herbert Matthews was attacked while he waited at the Deer Island ferry landing at L’Etete.
Matthews was a veteran from the Second World War and served with distinction in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve from 1942 until the war ended in 1945. He served in one of the most hostile and austere regions of the war, the North Atlantic and in the English Channel.
He wears with pride the 1939 – 1945 Star, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Maple Leaf and the North Atlantic Star and stands tall every Remembrance Day remembering all those who died in battle and buried at sea, and the horrors that no young person should ever be subjected to. And now at the age of 84, and close to his dooryard back home, a brutal attack occurred.
Yes this man of honour was a veteran of this great country. He served with pride so that we back at home could live in peace and walk the streets of our hometowns without fear.
I wonder if this brutal act would have the same outcome if it had been a younger veteran, say from the Afghanistan war. But then again, a coward would not attack unless the prey was frail and could not defend himself.
I pray to the good Lord to give the justice system the sense to hand down an appropriate punishment, however saying that, I fully understand under the Canadian Law, that may not be possible, pity.
I call upon all veterans and seniors across this region to show support for one of our own, follow the justice system as it deals with this case, and may I suggest that if this case goes to trial we all should show up in uniform, wearing our medals, in support of our comrade. Let’s not allow our veteran to go through this alone.

Rolland Chater is president of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 40, St George.