Veterans streaming service launches mobile app

Stephen J. Thorne on July 6, 2020


The Veterans Channel, a free global streaming service specializing in programming for military, ex-military and first responders, has announced a new mobile application offering a range of services to its followers.

The Veterans Lifestyle App provides a mobile link to Veterans Channel programming as well as feature articles and event updates.

More importantly, the app provides access to career opportunities along with a marketplace to find customers and promotional opportunities for veterans and first responders who have started their own businesses.

Powered by BeMotion, a mobile commerce platform, it will also provide discounts and privileges on products and services relevant to veterans and first responders.

The Veterans Channel and its new app are funded by sponsors and advertisers so that their programming and services can be offered to veterans and first responders, their families and interested members of the public at no charge.

Veterans Media Corp. Inc. (www.theveteranschannel.com) claims to be the first and only global media platform for veterans and first responders.

The streaming service offers veterans and first responders from around the world and from all services the opportunity to share their experiences and challenges in ways that are “true, honest, and authentic,ˮ according to a release announcing the service’s relaunch last November.

Veterans Media Corp. (VMC) soft-launched The Veterans Channel in January 2018 with original programming that quickly attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers in more than 42 countries.

It offers several original series:

• Transitioned documents the paths forged by servicemen and servicewomen as they transition back to civilian life and find purpose beyond their military duty. Host Marc Wicks is a former Royal Marine Commando and a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

• Riding with Heroes travels North America with Canadian host Paul (Trapper) Cane, a former paratrooper who combines his passions for motorcycling and modern military history to interview veterans.

• 16:20 features men and women who fought battles across the world sharing alternative healing methods and how they have helped them fight their personal battles with pain and trauma.

• Veteran Retreats follows veterans on their journeys to healing via retreats that help them to reconnect with themselves and find paths forward through discovery, adventure and fellowship.

“What makes The Veterans Channel unique is that it is veterans telling their stories, not the public or the mainstream media,” said Henah Hannah, founding chair of VMC. “The result is authentic content that enables veterans to support and inspire each other and show the rest of the world how much of an asset they can be in their civilian lives to a community or an employer.

“A common thread links these men and women and their families around the world—regardless of which uniform they wear or once wore. They collectively suffer emotional, physical, mental and spiritual wounds, but they also collectively lend a hand to help one another. VMC exists to support that.”

Dominion convention and other events rescheduled

Legion Magazine on July 6, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Dominion Convention has been rescheduled to Aug. 12-19, 2021, at the TCU Place convention centre in Saskatoon. All other arrangements will be the same as planned.

The following convention will be in 2024 in order to resume dominion conventions in even-numbered years. Senior elected officers of Dominion Command will retain their offices until the convention.

Provincial commands will make their own decisions about their conventions scheduled in 2021.

National Headquarters has released $3 million in emergency funds to help struggling branches. Branches should contact their provincial command if they have need.

Dominion Executive Council made the unprecedented decision to release the money from the Legion’s reserves in order to provide non-refundable grants. These are not poppy funds, which cannot be used for branch operations.

“Despite the current challenges, our incredible members and branches are doing incredible volunteer work,” said Dominion President Tom Irvine in making the announcement. “Our communities need them and we want to do everything we can to help them help others.”

The funds are being dispersed through provincial commands and international zones. Specific amounts disbursed to branches will depend on individual situations, and commands and zones will be required to inform Dominion Command how the funds were used.

These were two of several announcements by The Royal Canadian Legion concerning the Legion and veterans.

The 2020 Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships in Sydney, N.S., in August is cancelled. The next national track and field event will be in Sherbrooke, Que., in August 2021.

Meetings of Dominion Executive Council and other committees are going ahead as teleconferences and video conferences.

National Headquarters of the Legion is resuming normal operations. Legion command service officers are available for advice and to assist veterans filling in forms for benefits from Veterans Affairs Canada.

The Supply Department at National Headquarters is operating; orders can be made through the poppy store at poppystore.ca.

Legion Magazine, which has its office in Legion House, continues to publish Legion Magazine and Canada’s Ultimate Story on their regular schedules.

Other Canadian veterans’ groups have also announced cancellations and postponements.

The 104th International Four Days Marches Nijmegen in the Netherlands has been cancelled for 2020. The Legion’s representative for the Nijmegen Marches, Joan Cook, will remain in place and keep training for 2021.

The Canadian Institute for Military and Veterans Health Research annual forum in October has been cancelled. Organizers are using other ways to keep members informed. The Legion will still award its annual scholarship in support of veterans and military health research. Details will be announced at a later date.

At press time, branches were still adapting their operations to support veterans during the pandemic, planning for restricted operations and bracing for financial challenges.