Local veterans are getting more support after regional politicians backed them unanimously in a campaign to keep the local veterans affairs office open.
The federal government's decision to close nine offices, including one in Thunder Bay, will force local veterans to travel to Manitoba or Southern Ontario if they need help. Their only other option will be to call a toll-free number.
But Veteran Roy Lamore says the phone is not an option as it takes a long time and can be difficult to navigate.
"He'll have to bring his lunch to the phone," Lamore said.
On Wednesday the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association decided it will write letters and lobby federal politicians to try and keep the office open.
Lamore said the fact he and other veterans even need to ask for support on something that shouldn't even be an issue is wrong.
"We're not asking, we're begging," he said. "It's disappointing."
NOMA president David Canfield said he can't understand why the federal government would close the offices. Given Veterans Affairs Minister's background as a police officer, Canfield said he should have resigned rather than allow the closures to happen.
"That's what I would've done," he said.
