More than a year ago, Cpl. Matthew Dinning was killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb. Today, at a press conference on Parliament Hill, his frustrated parents said that despite many promises, they are still waiting for the Department of National Defence to reimburse them for expenses associated with their son’s death and burial.
From a Canadian Press story:
The Defence Department says it compensated one family whose funeral expenses outstripped the military stipend, and O'Connor assured the House of Commons this week that the full cost of each service has been covered since he became minister in early 2006.
Lincoln Dinning said he and his wife were offended by O'Connor's insistence all had been cared for, saying they felt “our family's integrity was being called into question.''
“We stand here today telling you that we have not been fully reimbursed for Matthew's funeral costs, despite that Mr. O'Connor stood up in the House of Commons and told the Canadian people the exact opposite.''
Dinning said he submitted at least two written requests for reimbursement to National Defence last year.
Lincoln Dinning – a former Ontario Provincial Police Officer — and his wife made the eight-hour drive yesterday from their home in the southwestern Ontario town of Wingham to publicly tell O’Connor that his department is nont doing right by his son.
“It’s not about money. It’s about the principle of the thing. This should be a no-brainer,” Dinning said.