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WATCH ABOVE: Veterans advocate Ron Clarke says “we need a government that will look after veterans”

OTTAWA – A group of angry veterans, who want the Harper government defeated in the next election, is appealing to serving members of the military to join them in protest.

Ron Clarke, a member of Canada Coalition for Veterans who has been campaigning against the closure of Veterans Affairs offices, made the appeal today during a Parliament Hill news conference.

It may put those in uniform in an awkward position, but Clarke says they need a government that looks after veterans.

Watch below: Clarke “will rally troops” when district offices close

The plea is just the latest move in what is a major rift in the veterans community, one that has the potential of undermining the coalition’s aim of galvanizing votes against the Conservatives.

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Last week, a group of outspoken veterans advocates announced that six organizations had formed a coalition that would, at a minimum, boycott government announcements and photo-ops.

The coalition says a low-key approach to confronting the government has not worked and spokesman Mike Blais says the Royal Canadian Legion seems satisfied with current disability awards for the most severely wounded troops.

Watch below: Founder of veterans advocacy group Mike Blais slams Royal Canadian Legion, appeals for equality