OTTAWA, ON, September 21, 2001 - A leading exponent of compensation for the survivors of victims of war, Cliff Chadderton, has written to U.S. veterans organizations, urging them to approach the U.S. Government regarding compensation for survivors of the victims of the terrorist bombings in New York and Washington.

In a letter published today in The Ottawa Citizen, Chadderton has expressed the view that while there is considerable talk of courage, patriotism and religious faith, the media pundits have thus far avoided raising the issue of compensation. The text of the letter signed by Chadderton as Chairman of the 39-member National Council of Veteran Associations (NCVA) reads as follows:

Like most, I have spent hours absorbing the events in New York and at the Pentagon. We have joined in the mourning and watched with pride the displays of American patriotism, grief, courage and religious faith.

All of this has provided the pundits (mostly TV) with ample scope to talk, interview and comment - - but empty comfort for the bereaved (there are some 75 Canadians involved).

The direction now turns to getting on with life. Perhaps it is only me, but I am waiting for the pundits to make at least some mention of how the surviving families are going to manage. I may have missed something - - but I have heard no reference to compensation, (except for the normal insurance coverage for the brave Firefighters and N.Y. Police Officers).

At the same time, President George W. Bush says "This is War."

During World War II in Britain, there were many civilian casualties. It was years before compensation legislation was passed for them!

Is it too early to give the grieving relatives of those who perished in the terrorist attacks some hope that there would be compensation?

One CEO mentioned publicly that his company would look after the survivors of the 700 victims. It is hoped that he has "deep pockets." The average cost of raising a family today is, at a minimum, $15,000 a year.

People are contributing to the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other organizations. Great! But the U.S. Government confines talks mostly about more safety precautions, and military actions. Would it not be realistic to issue some words of comfort about long-term provisions for those distraught spouses sitting at home, hoping-against-hope?

An historical note: in World War II a widow in Canada received a telegram if her husband was killed in action. She did know, however, that there was an "implied contract" that some income-replacement would be forthcoming from a grateful nation.

Perhaps the media giants should get on to this issue, as well.