200 attend 'memorial' for Windsor veterans affairs office

Veterans in Windsor held what they called a "memorial service" Friday over the loss of the local Veterans Affairs Canada office.

More than 200 people were on hand by 11 a.m. at the office on University Avenue.

It's being closed and the services it offers are being moved to the next closest office, which is in London.

A large poppy was strapped to a street sign nearby and protesters wore black. Several cars honked in support of the vets on hand.

"I am very disappointed, but I'll tell you one thing, they're not going to break our spirit," said Mike Lepine, a Vietnam veteran. "They're not going to stop us from doing what we believe is right, and the right thing is to start looking at different avenues besides picking on the defenders of this great nation, that gave their all and our giving their all still today."

Bruce Moncur is from Harrow and served in Afghanistan.

He was one of seven men who were in Ottawa earlier this week to pres Veteran's Affairs Minister Julian Fantino to keep the offices open.

"i use that office on a regular basis, once a month. Travelling to London is not ideal. That's three hours of driving," Moncur said.

He called "Windsor is one of the more lucky locations" that are closing because others he claimed "means travelling up to 8-10 hours."

"I feel that this is just the tip of the iceberg," Moncur said. "I feel that this is a slippery slope and I'm curious to see what's going to happen next."