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Rare honour: Gov. Gen. presents military valour decorations
Tim Shufelt, Canwest News Service Published: Wednesday, March 26, 2008
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=401525
Tim Shufelt, Canwest News Service Published: Wednesday, March 26, 2008
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=401525
OTTAWA -- Applauding the courage of Canada's military in Afghanistan, Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean presented military valour decorations Wednesday morning, the first such presentation in 13 years.
In a ceremony at Rideau Hall attended by Gen. Rick Hillier, Canada's chief of defence staff, the Governor General presented one Star of Military Valour -- to Maj. David Quick of the Royal Canadian Regiment -- and four medals of Military Valour, including three to soldiers stationed in Petwawa, for their gallantry and devotion to duty in combat.
The medals of Military Valour were awarded to:
• Pte. Shane Aaron Bradley Dolmovic: Petawawa, Ont. and Cottlesville, N.L.;
• Cpl. Dave Gionet: Petawawa, Ont. and Pigeon-Hill, N.B.;
• Sgt. Gerald Alexander Killam: Oromocto, N.B. and Dartmouth, N.S.;
• Pte. Jay James Renaud: Petawawa and Tilbury, Ont.
"Canada's military involvement in Afghanistan has thrust you into the deadliest combat situations since the Korean war," she said. "And no matter what the circumstances, you must draw upon your courage, your calm initiative and ingenuity, but also on your compassion, because you are there to help men, women, children and communities.
"I have no doubt that history has and will remember the vital role you have played in making a difference and in bringing peace, justice and stability to our world."
There were also eight meritorious service crosses and 23 meritorious service medals presented.
Gen. Hillier said the Afghanistan war is "placing extraordinary demands on our soldiers, our sailors, our airmen and women who execute these missions for us.
"The individuals who receive their military valour decorations here today have experienced, I know, some of the most demanding days of their lives - physical and emotional stresses of the most difficult kind, some unimaginable," he said. "You've marked a new chapter in our military history."
Other winners included:
Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division)
• Chief Warrant Officer Mark Leslie Baisley: Oromocto and Newcastle, N.B.
• Chief Warrant Officer Wayne Alan Bartlett: Meaford, Ont., and Saint John, N.B.
• Master Warrant Officer William Alan Bolen: Denwood, Alta.
• Col. Wayne Donald Eyre: Ottawa, Ont. and Wadena, Sask.
• Warrant Officer Ian Long: Edmonton, Alta.
• Master Warrant Officer Wayne Francis O'Toole: Oromocto, N.B., and St. John's, N.L.
• Major Alexander Thomas Ruff: Oromocto and Lincoln, N.B. and Tara, Ont.
• Lt.-Col. Robert Daren Keith Walker: Kingston, Ont., Fredericton, N.B. and North Battleford, Sask.
Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division)
• Col. Peter Gerald Abbott: Belleville, Ont. and Comox, Courtenay and Richmond, B.C.
• Commander Steven Albert Bell: Ottawa and Collingwood, Ont.
• Lt.-Col. David Brian Berry: Victoria and Comox, B.C., and St. Catharines, Ont.
• Warrant Officer Jules Joseph Jean Berube: Courcelette, St-Redempteur and St-Jean-Chrysostome, Que.
• Colonel Stephen Joseph Bowes: Oromocto, N.B. and Bedford, N.S.
• Major Thomas Bradley: Edmonton and Lancaster Park, Alta.
• Master Warrant Officer William John Crabb: Edmonton, Alta. and Summerside, P.E.I.
• Major Marc G. Diamond: McChord Air Force Base and Spanaway, Washington, U.S.A. and Vankleek Hill, Ont.
• Corp. Matthew John David Elliott: Oromocto, N.B. and Halifax, N.S.
• Major Richard William R. Goodyear: Petawawa, Ont. and Main Point, N.L
• Major Steven Geoffrey Graham: Petawawa, Ont. and Winnipeg, Man.
• Warrant Officer Eric Richard Green: Whitehorse, Y.T., and Heart's Content Trinity Bay, N.L.
• Sgt. Abdoul Amtou Guindo: Ottawa, Ont.
• Col. Joseph Jean Rene Guy Hamel: Ottawa, Ont. and Levis, Que.
• Warrant Officer James Adam Hunter: Springhill, N.S.
• Master Warrant Officer Stephen Goward Jeans: Oromocto and Haneytown, N.B. and Cape Ray, N.L.
• Lieut. Paul Joseph Ernest Lavigne: Ottawa, Ont. and Saskatoon, Sask.
• Corporal Brett James Lovelace: Oromocto, N.B. and Orillia, Ont.
• Commodore Paul Andrew Maddison: Ottawa, Ont.
• Master Warrant Officer William Alan Richards: Petawawa, Ont. and St. Stephen, N.B.
• Rear-Admiral Joseph Alphonse Denis Rouleau: Ottawa, Ont. and Quebec, Que.
• Corp. James Michael Ryan: Oromocto and Fredericton, N.B. and St. John's, N.L.
• Col. Richard Geoffrey St. John: Ottawa, Ont.