Canadian Soldier's Mom got 1 cent check after his suicide

Justin Stark's mom accepts defence minister's apology over 1-cent cheque
But Mom still unhappy with military's conclusion her son's suicide was not work-related
CBC News
Posted: Mar 06, 2014

The mother of a dead Hamilton, Ont., soldier who received a cheque for one cent from the federal government has accepted an apology from Defence Minister Rob Nicholson but said the incident has reopened wounds.

And she has in turn received a promise from Nicholson to review her son's death and the military's conclusion that his suicide was not related to his tour in Afghanistan.

Denise Stark, speaking from MP Wayne Marston’s office in Hamilton, said Nicholson called Thursday morning to personally apologize.

She said she thanked him for the formal apology but explained, "how our wounds have been reopened since receiving the cheque."

Stark said she told Nicholson she didn't believe the act was intentional but that she would like to know something positive comes from it and that another family doesn't have to go through the same experience of receiving a similar cheque.

"I know not everyone will agree with what I have done, however, those people should feel blessed they don't walk each day in my shoes," she said. "The death of a child is tragic but a death related to war, well, I don't have the words to describe. Then add to that, death by suicide and it just adds another layer to my grief."

She took the opportunity of Nicholson's call to express her family's unhappiness with the military's handling of his suicide.

As of now, Stark's death isn't considered "military related," even though he shot himself in the armoury in Hamilton while on duty, Marston said. Stark's family has been dealing with inquests and military tribunals about the incident for years.
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