Returned soldiers want better help

War veterans returning from missions abroad - whether injured, traumatized, or in apparently fine shape - should have more and better help options, according to soldiers' union Hærens Konstabel- og Korporalforening, who have recently presented their proposals for a new veterans' policy.

The union proposes establishing a so-called Veterans' Council. Union president Flemming Vinther says there is a great deal of willingness to help veterans.

- But the effort lacks coordination, and we lack knowledge of what kind of help is most effective. If we can get a grip on organization and knowledge, we will be able to continually adapt veteran policy to developments and soldier needs, and solve any problems that may turn up tomorrow or in two years' time, he says.

The proposal for a new veterans' policy comes in the wake of a DR1 television documentary - "The Wounded" - which uncovered the severe problems that grievously injured and crippled young soldiers find themselves having to deal with once they are transferred from Afghanistan to Denmark for treatment.

According to the union, veterans today risk being passed on between the many administrations and associations involved in helping them - from state, regions and municipalities to charity organizations, volunteers, and colleagues.

- Today, there's a risk that some veterans don't get the help they need at all. Or that veterans with similar needs receive very different offers of help. That's why we propose the establishing of a Veterans' Council to integrate private and public offers of help. The Council would both coordinate individual efforts and provide counselling on veterans, says Flemming Vinther.