The plight of a 94-year old veteran in Halifax has caught the attention of Lunenburg’s mayor.
Rachel Bailey is voicing her support of Petter Blindheim who has been honoured for his service in the Norwegian Navy.
He wants to receive treatment at Camp Hill, a hospital for those who’ve served.
Ottawa says he doesn’t qualify.
Originally Veterans Affairs said it was because Blindheim isn’t technically considered part of the ‘allied force.’
They said because he joined after Norway was occupied he is only considered a resistance fighter.
Bailey fully disagrees.
“The perception of Norwegian veterans and their place of honour as our allies just needed to be stated clearly and unequivocally.”
She believes this case is a symptom of a larger problem.
“He should be given the respect [he] deserves and be taken care of,” she says, ” just as all of our veterans should be given that respect. That needs to be rectified.”
Bailey says Lunenburg was a safe haven for stranded Norwegians in the 1940’s.
She hopes Ottawa will take a closer look at how all veterans are treated.
Ottawa has offered to pay for Blindheim to get treatment at a provincial facility.
Bailey hopes they’ll change their minds.
