Legion Branching Out

OTTAWA, April 21, 2016 /CNW/ - The Dominion Executive Council met in Ottawa this past weekend and adopted two historic proposals that are specifically designed to reach out to Veterans.

Operational Stress Injury – Special Section
Not since 1925 has the Legion made an organizational change to focus on the specific needs of one group of Veterans.  The establishment of the OSI Special Section will facilitate Veterans and their families affected by Operational Stress Injuries to get the medical care they need and help to focus research and education about OSI.

"We want to work to de-stigmatize OSI so that those suffering and their families can get the help that they need," says Royal Canadian Legion Dominion President, Tom Eagles.  "By creating this Special Section within The Royal Canadian Legion, and maintaining a close working relationship with the Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada, we believe that we can improve the support that Veterans and their families receive and strengthen the Legion's ability to advocate for Veteran mental health issues," adds Eagles.

"The Operational Stress Injury Special Section is a grass-roots, member-driven initiative focused on ensuring that Veterans and their families suffering from Operational Stress Injuries get the medical care they need," says interim President of the OSI Special Section, Glynne Hines.

Invictus Games
The Royal Canadian Legion announces their commitment to further supporting the recovery of ill and injured Veterans by becoming a signature sponsor for the Invictus Games Toronto 2017.

"There has been a long tradition of the Legion supporting sports programs," says Royal Canadian Legion Dominion President, Tom Eagles. "It is a natural fit and we, as Canada's largest Veteran support and community service organization, intend to fulfill our part to support these games that will see almost 700 ill and injured Veterans from around the world participating," states Eagles.

Legion members will also take part in the torch relay that will stop at 30 Legion branches across Canada and provide some of the 1500 volunteers needed to run the 11 sporting events with participants from 16 nations.

BACKGROUNDER

Operations Stress Injury Special Section

Terms of Reference:
The OSI Special Section will

• Reach out and assist Veterans and their families affected by OSI;
• Promote public awareness and work to de-stigmatize the public perception of Veterans with OSI;
• Bring focus to the sufferers through assistance, referrals, information and awareness.
• Promote research into treatment and prevention.
• The OSI Special Section WILL NOT deliver health services.

Eligibility:

• Veterans as defined by the Royal Canadian Legion and their families who are/have been affected by OSI;
• Members of the Special Section must be RCL members;

Way Ahead:

• Commit Dominion Command staff resources (further) to support the OSI Section: (i.e. Administrative, Legal, Marketing/Public Relations, Training);
• Support/Encourage OSI Section support within Provincial Commands;
• Motion for general membership approval at the Dominion Convention.

For more information on the OSI Special Section visit: OSI Special Section

Invictus Games

Inspired by the American Paralympic style and multi-sport events called "Warrior Games", the first international version of the games called the "Invictus" games were held in London, England in 2014.  The second edition of the games are scheduled for May 2016 in Orlando, FL with the third edition scheduled for Toronto, Ontario (Sept 24 – Oct 1, 2017).  For more information on these games, visit: Invictus Games.

SOURCE The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2016/04/21/20160421_C5837_PDF_EN_671018.pdf

For further information please contact Bruce Poulin at Dominion Command, at [phone] ext. 241 or by cell at [phone] or [email protected].