11 November – Remembrance Day Edition
Today marks Remembrance Day. In Canada and elsewhere, it marks the end of WWI, 107 years ago, and is a moment for us to reflect on the sacrifices that our armed forces continue to endure. More than 650,00 Canadians served in The Great War, with over 66,000 giving their lives for their country. More than 172,000 Canadians were wounded. Instead of highlighting the world news, DefenceReport would like to reflect on various veteran issues and news today.
Veteran Suicide and Homelessness
During 2019, an estimated 1.6% of emergency shelter users in Canada were veterans (1,905 individuals). Among veteran respondents, 82.9% identified as male and 34.3% as First Nations, Metis or Inuit.
Canada
8 November marked Indigenous Veterans’ Day. This day marks not only the sacrifices that they made, but also the discrimination that they endured.
A petition sponsored by a Liberal MP calls for the creation of an “Independent Military Honours Review Board to review Afghanistan veterans’ cases,” which will determine whether veterans of the Afghan conflict are eligible for the Victoria Cross.
Afghan Deportations
US military veterans continue to fight the deportation of Afghan nationals. After the fall of Kabul, approximately 200,000 Afghans relocated to the United States. The Trump administration has terminated many of the programmes which protect them from deportation. US veterans are stepping up to defend those they fought for in a previous war, but we are forgetting.
Ukrainian Amputations
Ukraine is facing an amputation crisis. One in four amputations is from the improper use of tourniquets. Tourniquets are being used on the wrong injuries and are being left on for too long. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have returned home with missing limbs.
Russian PTSD
The other side of the conflict, of course, is Russia. Russian soldiers are coming home with severe PTSD and substance abuse. Crime has been on the rise in the country due to its returning veterans. In a rare glimpse, a group of psychiatrists and medical researchers published an article detailing their observations.
Social media wires
Sydney Opera House
Kenya Defence Forces in Nairobi
Featured Image: “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 2017”, Benoit Rochon, Wikimedia Commons, 2025
The Wires Brief is a daily breaking news report incorporating wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates. Feature photos are altered with grayscale.