OTTAWA, ON, February 28, 2005 - Several years ago, The War Amps questioned, in a letter to the then-Prime Minister, a budget of $22 million for commemoration as a tribute to World War II armed forces.

The recent budget projected an additional $6 million for remembrance.

The Government projected expenditure came at a time when Canada is failing to provide troops for offshore duty; and much-needed upgrade of military hardware.

Polls show that most Canadians do not favour additional foreign intervention by Canada . The Government's announcement seems to be for 'public consumption' prior to an election.

Moreover, the current expenditures smack of 'empire building' for Veterans Affairs staff who seem primarily interested in protecting their jobs.

The War Amps took the Government's promise to name 2005 as the Year of the Veteran seriously. According to Cliff Chadderton, Chief Executive Officer of The War Amps, "We produced a 60-minute video production and a documentary rehashing our victories. VAC's effort seems confined to plans on paper, mostly for five years down the road."

At the opening meeting, Chadderton suggested commercial enterprises would help. "I do not see this so long as the Government is 'throwing away money to projects'," he said.

Chadderton said he produced a popular memoir which met with public acclaim by many important Canadians including Hamilton Southam, Major-General Lewis Mackenzie, Mike Duffy and Ottawa Citizen columnist, Dave Brown. The popular Don Cherry who, when on air, never fails to promote military remembrance, also wrote glowingly of the memoir.

The younger generation thanked The War Amps for telling the story of their fathers. Veterans likewise thanked The War Amps for talking about a war they seemed reluctant to explain.

"The War Amps were able to produce a handsome coffee table book at a cost-recovery price to ensure that it would be available for Canadians in all walks of life. Let us compare this with the 'paper tiger' being talked about at the committee stages in Ottawa ," said Chadderton.

The memoir is available through The War Amps by calling 1-800-250-3030 or online. More information on the memoir can also be found here.