A fourth-generation solider who served in Afghanistan said he felt compelled to disobey orders and speak out about his experience as an injured veteran, regardless of the consequences he may face.
Vancouver-native Cpl. Glen Kirkland barely survived a Taliban ambush in the Zhari district of Afghanistan five years ago, and said he fears he鈥檒l have no pension when he鈥檚 discharged, or be given adequate assistance for covering his medical bills for a long list of injuries.
The 29-year-old recalled the terrifying attack during a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday.
鈥淢y tour was one of bloodshed, constant fighting and on the second last day of my tour, my platoon was ambushed by an estimated 120 Taliban fighters,鈥� an emotional Kirkland recalled.
He said the rocket that hit his vehicle missed him by 鈥渋nches.鈥�
Three of the five soldiers in the vehicle died in the attack.
鈥淚 had to pull myself while on fire, and through gunfire, to try to extract my dead and dying brothers-in-arms.鈥�
The attack, Kirkland said, resulted in the loss of 75 per cent of his hearing, the loss of some sight and a brain injury that left him forever dependant on insulin.
鈥淚 suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) so badly that I haven鈥檛 been able to visit my home in Vancouver for years,鈥� he said, with tears in his eyes. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 handle the anxiety of being around crowds. Survivor鈥檚 guilt haunts me every day.鈥�
Kirkland recalled the phone call he made to his father while in the hospital in Afghanistan.
鈥淢y dad said, 鈥楧on鈥檛 worry, Canada will take care of you,鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淢y dad was wrong.鈥�
Kirkland said he had aspirations of becoming a police officer, but his injuries have dashed that dream.
He said he鈥檚 been denied certain medical aids upon returning to Canada.
鈥淚 cried,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ot like a person in pain, but as a person who is totally and utterly defeated.鈥�
Kirkland said he鈥檚 been told to remain quiet about his experience after returning from battle.
鈥淚n the past I鈥檝e been threatened with a dishonourable discharge,鈥� Kirkland told 麻豆影视.
However, he said it鈥檚 important to expose the hurdles some veterans face.
Committee members who heard Kirkland鈥檚 testimony agreed.
鈥淗e has serious, serious injuries,鈥� said MP John McKay. 鈥淭hey can boot him tomorrow, and he has no idea whether his medication will be covered, he has no idea whether he鈥檒l get any pension, and he鈥檚 out on his own. It鈥檚 shameful.鈥�
MP Chris Alexander said: 鈥淭his is clearly a soldier who feels very strongly he has not been well-served by the system鈥nd we want to improve the system. So if we don鈥檛 hear from those who have experienced challenges, we鈥檙e not doing our job.鈥�
With a report from CTV's Richard Madan
