Petition aims to honour late Hamilton soldier

A young soldier from the reserve unit of Hamilton’s Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders has become the focus of a national campaign that will challenge the policies of the armed forces brass.

Corporal Justin Stark served in Afghanistan, but died here in Canada – and it’s the manner, and timing of this death that’s causing some controversy. It’s a campaign that revolves around a question that no one can answer with any certainty.

Did the trauma of war lead to Corporal Stark’s suicide? Stark went to war at the tender age of 22. Family friend Keven Ellis says after 7 months in Afghanistan, Stark was a different person.

“Prior to going he was very out-going. Loved his music. Just loved being around people, and when he came home, he was very withdrawn.”

On October 29th, 2011, Justin reported to his unit at the John W Foote armoury in Hamilton, and took his own life. Last March, a board of inquiry determined that his suicide was not work-related, and that his tour of duty in Afghanistan did not lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Accordingly, the military refused to honour the family with the presentation of a memorial cross – also known as The Silver Cross – in recognition of his service, and sacrifice. Ellis thinks that’s wrong.

“Justin went to work at the armouries and took his own life. How much more of a poignant statement could he have made?”

Ellis is the driving force behind an on-line petition, seeking to redress what he and more than 500 other petitioners like Bev McGraw of Hamilton, see as an injustice. “I fully believe that any soldier that served in Afghanistan came home changed – some more than others. Please don’t deny CPL Stark’s parents the honour that he deserves for serving on behalf of Canada and all Canadians.”

That’s exactly the kind of support that Justin’s parents – Wayne and Denise Stark – need, says Ellis. “What we really need is when people go in to sign it, just leave a comment.”

The petition on Change.org will be left up for a week or two, and Ellis is hoping that public pressure will convince prime minister Stephen Harper and defence minister Rob Nicholson to present the Silver Cross to Justin’s family.

After all, says Hugh Wardrope of Hamilton: “It’s the right thing to do. Period.”

If you agree with that statement and want to sign the petition for corporal stark and his family you can do so at this link to the on-line petition. Keven Ellis wants you to remember to leave a comment to tell the government why you support the cause.