Memorial held for Canadian Soldier after Suicide

Memorial held for latest soldier to take his own life
Pressure grows to provide more support to veterans in crisis following latest military suicide
CBC News Canada
Posted: Mar 24, 2014

Master Cpl. Tyson Washburn, 37, died in Pembroke, Ont., in mid-March as the latest in a long list of Canadian soldiers to commit suicide in recent months.
(CBC)

There was a solemn farewell in Central Blissville, N.B., on Monday as the latest Canadian soldier to take his own life was remembered.

Master Cpl. Tyson Washburn, 37, died in Pembroke, Ont., in mid-March as the most recent in a long list of soldiers to commit suicide in recent months, many after struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Washburn joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a cook in 2006 and was deployed to Afghanistan from July to October 2010.

While his family and friends said goodbye in New Brunswick, pressure grew elsewhere in the country to provide more support to veterans in crisis.

Washburn's death came just three days before the last plane load of Canadian soldiers returned home from Afghanistan to promises from government and military leaders that soldiers who fought would be taken care of back home.

But for many who fought, including former soldier Bruce Moncur, those words rung hollow.

"The biggest issue here is the triple-D policy: delay-deny-die policies," said Moncur. "Soldiers are given denials and delays until they get frustrated, throw up hands their hands and don't pursue the services they need."
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