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It's nice to know that the mental health clinic in Fredericton is about to open, but what Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson has failed to mention is that manning the clinic is a very real problem.

This area is depleted of qualified PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) councillors.

There are troops who have been waiting for 11 months, so far, to see a councillor and will have another wait of at least five months. Even though they have been given medication, without treatment, PTSD will begin to chemically alter the brain permanently in as short a time span of only three or four months.

If the base clinic is so overwhelmed that soldiers are waiting 16 months for treatment, where are they finding staff for the Fredericton clinic?

I disagree with Thompson's assessment of why soldiers don't seek out help for operational stress injuries. Yes, they are proud and have to be tough to do their jobs, but to say they are too "macho" is condescending, especially to the female members.

The first thing that happens to a soldier, when they are diagnosed with PTSD, is they are put on a "temporary category," which actually means any advancement of their career immediately stops.

This causes more stress to families who are already going threw an adjustment of their partner returning from Afghanistan, especially when they have to wait so long for actual treatment. Their kids are feeling the tension and fall victim to bullying or become aggressive to deal with stress.

It is a no-win situation for the soldier and his family.

This is the exact words Thompson wrote to me in a letter signed by him on Dec. 21, 2006: "Please be assured that all OSISS services are available to both female and male CF members."

This was in response to my e-mail requesting that he ensure there is a support group available for female members when they return from Afghanistan.

I had explained that it's almost impossible for a female member to feel comfortable sitting in a group of guys. There was not a group for female members then and there is not a group now. There is a group for males and a group for spouses, but that's it.

Maybe he thought I could be placated by an official-looking letter. It seems that Thompson is dealing quite a lot with half truths; just enough to sound good but without all the details.

Julie Clarke, retired veteran

Geary, N.B.

What's next for the train station?

It was interesting to read all the hopes from mayor and councillors for Fredericton, but nobody mentioned the state of the York Street train station.

It seems like the process to do something about it has been going on for a long time. If a large company did not own the property, I'm sure the bylaw personnel would be there to get this cleaned up.

Terry Burns

Fredericton

Why can Yellowknife have French immersion and not N.B.?

While browsing through a recent edition of your classifieds section, an ad caught my attention.

Apparently, the Yellowknife Catholic School board is looking for a teacher in French immersion (kindergarten to Grade 8).

I checked its website and apparently they offer French immersion to Grade 12, so the children graduate with a bilingual certificate.

I find it strange indeed that in Yellowknife they can offer French immersion starting at a very young age, whereas in New Brunswick they just scrapped that idea.

Perhaps the premier and the minister of education should have a look at the website.

By the way, in Calgary, French immersion has been the norm for many years. In fact, when one of my sisters moved out there back in the 1970s (thanks to the separatists who were, and sadly to say, are still stirring things up in Montreal), one of the first things they did was to enrol their children in French immersion.

It certainly didn't hurt the children any, as one of them eventually graduated from university as class valedictorian. The others are also university graduates. Three or four summers ago, many of Calgary's parents and children were lined up almost a city block, trying to get their children enrolled in the French immersion courses.

As far as learning a second language, children (as in Europe) should be taught several languages from an early age. Even U.S. President George W. Bush is fluent in Spanish.

Joseph A. Cyr

Fredericton

Looking for stories about Don Messer

In the summer of 2009, our community will be celebrating the 100th birthday of Don Messer.

Though other provinces have claimed Messer as their own, he was truly a child of New Brunswick, born at Tweedside, on the outskirts of Harvey Station.

Many Canadians feel they know this man. For many years they listened to him on the radio, watched him on the television or attended live performances.

But there is more to Don Messer than the one-dimensional man portrayed on the show. A musician of renown, he was also a great supporter of Canadian musicians and talent. He had a family and he was a savvy businessman and an innovator.

My goal in writing a book about him is to present to Canada a more personal view of the man behind the music, to tell the story of Don Messer the person, not just Don Messer the musician and TV personality.

I ask for your help. I am looking for stories about Don Messer, personal anecdotes that speak to the nature of the man and the era. They can be entire stories, or simply a memory of a single event or conversation.

I am looking for stories from people who went to barn- and house-raisings, where fiddling went on into the early morning hours. And stories from people who liked the Don Messer show, or who thought it was corny. And stories from people who lived through the Depression and know that $1.85 went a long way.

I can be reached at donmesserbook@hotmail.com or Box 348, Harvey Station, N.B. E6K 1W9.

Johanna Bertin

Harvey Station, N.B.

Story gave well-deserved attention to Gilbey

I am writing to express how much I enjoyed reporter Laverne Stewart's story on Harry Gilbey.

I have known Mr. Gilbey and his family for many years. When I was attending university, it was Harry and his son Earl who gave me a job each summer painting houses.

Harry always told me that learning to paint would be something that would stay with me for all my life. It is still true 40 years later and time and again I am reminded of his words.

Harry has given much to his community and recognition for this is well-deserved. Whether he realizes it or not, he is a role model for many of us who know him. He is a true gentleman.

Gary Love

New Maryland, N.B.

Acadian ancestor should come home to Pointe Sainte Anne

This story begins in February 1759 When a small force of Troupes (15 men) led by Lt. Moses Hazen raided and destroyed the Acadian village of Pointe Sainte Anne, (located where downtown Fredericton is now).

As a consequence of this raid, some innocent civilians were killed. These civilians were hastily buried in the village cemetery. This cemetery has since been mistakenly identified as the "Indian cemetery," when in reality it is an "Acadian cemetery."

Now we fast forward to 1933, when the cemetery was once again disturbed, this time by a Dr. Wintemberg who came to Point Saint Anne with the expectations of finding pre-historic (native) remains and was surprised to find, buried closely together, and in one case two in one grave, not natives, but Europeans.

In all, seven skeletons were examined. (Two of these remains were those of Anastasie Godin and Madeleine Guilbaut).

In no case was there any evidence of natives at the site. The remains of the two women were removed to Ottawa, where they remain today.

As an Acadian and a descendant of Anstasie's family, my desire is to have her remains returned to her rightful resting place, Pointe Saint Anne.

And I want the cemetery there properly identified and declared as a National Historical Site.

Lawrence E. Bergeron

Alexandria, Va.