Since war veteran Jamie Keating of Saint John took to Facebook to say he was refused by the legion in Hampton the chance to lay a wreath during the Remembrance Day ceremony with the names of his nine comrades killed in Afghanistan, he says he’s received an overwhelming amount of support.
Keating says he’s heard from many people since the video, including all levels of provincial command in New Brunswick, but that the president of the Hampton legion has refused to apologize. He has reportedly resigned.
“We really need to get back into putting the vets first. I understand not all legions are like the one in Hampton, there are good ones,” says Keating. “Especially, I must say, Branch 69 in Saint John and 7 in McAdam…they were mortified and wanted me to come there and do services.”
Keating says that there are hundreds of legions now that will be laying a wreath with these nine names.
“Even though these nine are going to be read and named, I take pride knowing that their names will be remembered but also that everybody else will be as well, I do believe that they are taking steps this year to have all the Afghan vets read off as well,” says Keating.
He says he believes his voice has been heard.
