Montreal veterans reflect on Ottawa and St-Jean-sur-Richelieu attacks

The deaths of two soldiers in attacks in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Ottawa this week are weighing heavily on the minds of active and retired soldiers across the country.

They also suggested to be careful that your people do not wear uniforms while they are selling poppies.- Murray Smith,Royal Canadian LegionDistrict Commander

CBC Daybreak reporter Shari Okeke visited veterans at Roxboros Royal Canadian Legion, on Montreals West Island, and spoke to them about how they are coping.

"Its been a very emotional day. Its been two brother-in-arms who have been taken down, and as a former soldier, yes I feel it," said retired Master Cpl. Fraser Debney.

Debney served in the military from 1985to 2007, on missions to the Middle East, Haiti, Bosnia and Uganda, among other places.

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Debney said he is active on several veterans forums on social media, and discussions of how the events have triggered soldiers post-traumatic stress are "running rampant right now."

Debney said members of the military are doing everything they can to watch out for one another.

"Its emotional" Debney said, pausing to regain his composure. "But we try to watch each other and make sure that everybodys accounted for."

Taking off the uniform

The Royal Canadian Legions District Commander for Lakeshore West, Murray Smith, said local police came by to talk about security measures.

The police suggested not holding any public parades, especially in uniform.

"They also suggested to be careful that your people do not wear uniforms while they are selling poppies," said Smith, who is also the poppy chairman.

SidneyWansboroughserved in the British military in the1950sbefore coming to Canada.

I am not going to hide, Im not going to cover myself up. This whole ISIS thingthey can just kind of go to hell.- Retired Master Cpl. FraserDebney

He said it makes sense for the Canadian Armed Forces to ask current and former soldiers not to wear their uniforms not only for military members safety, but for the safety of those around them.

"If he becomes a bullet magnet wearing a uniform other people are going to get hurt who are not soldiers, so it's a good idea not to wear the uniform," Wansborough said.

Debney disagreed. He said he refused to cower in the face of the attacks this week.

"I am not going to hide, Im not going to cover myself up. This whole ISIS thing they can just kind of go to hell. I know thats the sentiment of a lot of my peers, a lot of my veteran peers, who knew I was coming here to talk to you. They said, Make sure people know were not happy with taking our uniforms [off]," Debney said.