OTTAWA—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, announced today the awarding of the first four Military Valour Decorations to members of the Canadian Forces who have displayed gallantry and devotion to duty in combat.
The recipients will be invited to receive their decoration from the Governor General at a presentation ceremony to be held at a later date.
Military Valour Decorations are national honours awarded to recognize acts of valour, self-sacrifice or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. They consist of the Victoria Cross, the Star of Military Valour and the Medal of Military Valour. This marks the first time that these decorations, which were created in 1993, have been awarded.
[…]
Sergeant Patrick Tower, S.M.V., C.D.
Edmonton, Alberta, and Victoria, British Columbia
Star of Military Valour
Sergeant Tower is recognized for valiant actions taken on August 3, 2006, in the Pashmul region of Afghanistan. Following an enemy strike against an outlying friendly position that resulted in numerous casualties, Sergeant Tower assembled the platoon medic and a third soldier and led them across 150 metres of open terrain, under heavy enemy fire, to render assistance. On learning that the acting platoon commander had perished, Sergeant Tower assumed command and led the successful extraction of the force under continuous small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Sergeant Tower’s courage and selfless devotion to duty contributed directly to the survival of the remaining platoon members.
Sergeant Michael Thomas Victor Denine, M.M.V., C.D.
Edmonton, Alberta
Medal of Military Valour
Sergeant Denine deployed with 8 Platoon, C Company, 1 PPCLI during Operation ARCHER in Afghanistan. On May 17, 2006, while sustaining concentrated rocket-propelled grenade, machine gun and small arms fire, the main cannon and the machine gun on his light armoured vehicle malfunctioned. Under intense enemy fire, he recognized the immediate need to suppress the enemy fire and exited the air sentry hatch to man the pintle-mounted machine gun. Completely exposed to enemy fire, he laid down a high volume of suppressive fire, forcing the enemy to withdraw. Sergeant Denine’s valiant action ensured mission success and likely saved the lives of his crew.
Master Corporal Collin Ryan Fitzgerald, M.M.V.
Shilo, Manitoba, and Morrisburg, Ontario
Medal of Military Valour
Master Corporal Fitzgerald deployed with 5 Platoon, B Company, 1 PPCLI Battle Group in Afghanistan. He is recognized for outstanding selfless and valiant actions carried out on May 24, 2006, during an ongoing enemy ambush involving intense, accurate enemy fire. Master Corporal Fitzgerald repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire by entering and re-entering a burning platoon vehicle and successfully driving it off the roadway, permitting the remaining vehicles trapped in the enemy zone to break free. Master Corporal Fitzgerald’s courageous and completely selfless actions were instrumental to his platoon’s successful egress and undoubtedly contributed to saving the lives of his fellow platoon members.
Private Jason Lamont, M.M.V.
Edmonton, Alberta, and Greenwood, Nova Scotia
Medal of Military Valour
Private Lamont deployed with the Health Support Services Company, 1 PPCLI Battle Group during Operation ARCHER. On July 13, 2006, an element of the reconnaissance platoon came under heavy enemy fire from a compound located in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, and was isolated from the rest of the platoon. During the firefight, another soldier was shot while attempting to withdraw back to the firing line and was unable to continue. Without regard for his personal safety, Private Lamont, under concentrated enemy fire and with no organized suppression by friendly forces, sprinted through open terrain to administer first aid. Private Lamont’s actions demonstrated tremendous courage, selflessness and devotion to duty.
Well done lads……..true Canadian hero’s and an inspiration to all those who serv!
Well Done indeed, and finally recognition from a Government with honor.
We Canadians are well represented through the efforts of men like this. I am proud of them and the courage and selflessness they displayed on the battlefield.
I am also proud that we now have a government eager to recognize the contribution of our military rather than hide them away from the public as if they were something that would shame us. Let’s not forget the Medak Pocket in Bosnia.
The right stuff. Indeed.
The legacy of the Canadian forces is intact. Vimy, Pachendale, Dieppe, Normandy, Breskins, the Scheldt, the Reichwald, Korea and now Afghanistan.
Well done. Great job by all the troops.
The best Canada has to offer the world.
Simply the best.
Awards to the backbone of our army..the NCO and the infanteer..truly the best Canada Has to offer…
I would not say this in the last post,(out of respect for our serving soldiers who are to be decorated) but compare the truly Heroic actions of these men and the utter cowardice of Jack Layton et al that will be on display this very day in Toronto at a “peace rally”
You want peace in Afstan? Let the boys finish the job..
” Where do you want your well?” indeed…
Ironic, reading this post after having just watched early news on CBC and CTV newsnet.
Both featured on site reporting from the many anti-Afghan War protests across the country.
CBC Halifax kept saying that “thousands were expected to parade in protest across Canada”, yet in the background, there appeared to be about a dozen.
Maybe War protesters are still sleeping the slumber of the righteous.
This is good, decorating the soldiers,they deserve recognition for their valour.
Now please, Mr. Harper, follow up by financially supporting the wives and children of the soldiers killed in action. Canada has a dismal history in this respect.
It’s impossible to thank them properly for their service, but I thank them just the same.
Those who receive medals do so for fighting for the very freedoms that allow the protestors to protest. It’s ironic, but a perfect irony.
Thanks lads… we are truly thankful for the likes of our Canadian Heroes.
Iam Proud of our Men & Women of the Forces.
These men & women are in a dangerous situation, Yet when at a moment of adversity they go above & beyond.
This year wear your Poppy with even more pride for those who have given to there country in so many ways.
BTW: Please remember that the Poppy is worn on the left side, closes to your heart.
These fearless soldiers fighting for the rights of others make my heart swell with pride. Thank-you brave Freedom Fighters, defenders of the innocent, Champions of helping those who want to help themselves. Thank-you PMSH for honoring these honorable men.
Is talibanjack wearing a poppy. If he is, he is a hypocrite.
Thank you to all our troops and their families and congratulations to all those receiving medals.
Great to hear these heroes are being recognized. We owe them so much. Thanks!
Our soldiers show every day why they’re the best at what they do!
I couldn’t be any prouder of them!!!!!1
Well done! All Canadians owe you a debt they will never be able to repay.
(dmorris 1:17pm: CTV lists 200 in Halifax, 500 in Montreal, and “hundreds” in Toronto where loser Jack Layton addressed the assembled dullards. CBC, perhaps in their disappointment, doesn’t list numbers. Sounds like a fizzle overall.)
Note that Lamont was a Private when the actions meriting the decoration took place, but has since been promoted to Corporal.
Note also that bravery and valour are different things when it comes to decorations.
More reaction and detail here and here.
These men truly deserve to be honored. They understand what it requires to defend our home.
none of them above rank of sargeant. that says a lot.
on the other hand, the despicable canadian government continues to fight against the financial interests of the few remaining veterans on the issue of the completely mismanaged pensions from way back.
an ontario court overthrew the lock step decision of a higher court and reinstated the 4 billion dollar judgement against the federal government which is appealing.
sigh.
CFB Kingston just finished exercising the freedom of the city. Very nice to see many prominent signs supporting the troops and nary a protester in sight.
The contrast between the rather humble soldiers receiving their awards and that of the self-agrandizing theatrics of lolipop layton say everthying – Jack you are a shallow, shallow man.
Allow somebody from south of the 49th parallel to express his gratitude and admiration, as well; I’m glad we’re on the same side, guys.
Considering that Canada has never awarded medals for shining boots and perfect attendance, the fact that these heros have been officially recognized is very gratifying. These are the kind of people I’d love to be protecting my six.
As a Canuck, I am proud and grateful for the job they are doing.
“Is talibanjack wearing a poppy?” Sorry, but if so it should be a TARGET.
These men and probabably many unrecognized men and women have demenstroted the grit, determinition and sheer balls that so many of can only dream to achieve.
BTW: Bryanr TW for the reminder of where the poppy should be worn. I’m sure that many Canadians don’t know this small fact.
Finally Silican Valley Jim. Thank You. Most of us feel the same way about the brave men and women who serve in harm’s way in your armed services.
Now I know what happened to all those draft dodgers of the 60’s that come to canada. And why is an american AWOL deserter telling canada what to do. One protester was wearing a clown suit to signify that everyone there was a clown. Maximum 1500 people protesting across Canada. Guess the majority of cdns are supporting the mission. Must have been a big dissapointment for talibanjack and his terrorist supporters. Cowards on parade today in a few cities in Canada. They should be ashamed. Those in TO must all be from talibanjacks riding.
but maryT, cbc reported this as massive protests. what can you say?
I would be curious to compare the numbers of people who atended these rallies today and the numbers who wear red, support the troops, colors every Friday in Carlton Place, Ontario. Just in my place of employment (a restaurant, nothing to do with the forces or the government) the participation is 100%!
Has anyone noticed any poppies on any of the protesters. I think there is a support rally set for Edmonton Nov 3.
If TalibanJack were to succeed in effecting a withdrawl by Nato and the Islamofascists were allowed to swarm Europe and eventually North America, Jack*s next protest would find him hanging from soccer-field goalposts
with AK47 toteing Shia clerics attending.
Be careful what you wish for Jack. You could, with Librano$ coop* get your wish.
/w.w.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=5155&date=20061009
Working towards a Conservative majority = TG
God Bless Canada
&
God Bless our Brave Finest
Red Friday Rally – Edmonton Nov. 3
cisnfm(dot)com/station/events.cfm?REM=51575
“Canadian Military” an Oxymoron?
by Austin Bay
January 25, 2006
Discussion Board on this On Point topic
Take two apparently contradictory terms, and link them in a single phrase. The result is an oxymoron, a figure of speech yoking a perceived contradiction in terms. “Military intelligence” almost always rates a chuckle, as does “jumbo shrimp.” A skilled poet can use an oxymoron to stir emotions beyond laughter. Shakespeare riddled the tragedy of “Romeo and Juliet” with incongruous verbal jolts like “cold fire” and “happy dagger.”
The term “Canadian military” should never be an oxymoron, but after a decade of reduction and decline, what was once one of the world’s most able and elite combat organizations is now a hollow force.
The slide in defense funding that began in the mid-1990s is one cause. The current Canadian defense budget buys about 25 percent less bang and less peacekeeping than it did 10 years ago.
With the end of the Cold War, some reduction in force structure was understandable.
The defense cuts, however, weren’t simply based on a strategic assessment of finances and the disappearance of the Soviet Union. Post-Cold War, North American geography played a role. Here’s that presumption: The United States would always be there to defend Canada, so why bother maintaining military forces?
That wasn’t always Canada’s defense philosophy. At one time, when it came to defending liberty and democracy, Canada punched way above its weight class, and the Free World was thankful.
Prior to Pearl Harbor, while the United States hid behind the false wall of “neutrality,” Canada confronted with armed force the cultural and political threat of fascist tyrants. At the end of World War II, Canada had the world’s third-largest navy. In 2006, despite having the globe’s second-largest nation in terms of landmass, Canada deploys only three dozen or so warships and naval support vessels. Over a million Canadians served during World War II, out of a population of 12 million. Today, the expeditionary military that Nazi Germany feared must juggle troops and equipment to sustain two battalion-sized task forces in an overseas deployment.
The Nazis did indeed fear and respect Canada. From Sicily to Normandy and on into Germany, veteran Canadian divisions often formed the “hard core” of an allied thrust. That wasn’t a conspiracy by London to “let the colonials be cannon fodder” — it was recognition of Canadian military capabilities and fighting spirit.
Canada’s military continues to attract outstanding men and women.
I have yet to meet or serve with a Canadian soldier who failed to impress me with his professionalism and discipline. In my experience — in terms of individual, quality personnel — only Australian troops match Canadians on a one-for-one basis.
Two years ago, I had the privilege of serving with Australian troops in Iraq. The Aussies are crack. In the mid-1970s, I had the privilege of working with the 4th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in then-West Germany. In my opinion, the Canadian brigade was the best brigade in NATO, which probably meant at that moment in time it was the best brigade man-for-man in the world.
Today, Canada has too few of these fine troops, and the superior troops Canada does field are not supplied with the modern, first-rate weapons and equipment they deserve — at least, not in sufficient numbers.
The lack of military punch weakens Canada as a global political player, because Canada cannot act with a full spectrum of foreign policy options.
In many ways, the Canadian rhetorical and political game of “We Aren’t America” is a reasonable, if semi-hypocritical posture. The game has actually benefited the great cause of freedom. In Cold War situations where American troops or observers might have escalated tensions, Canadians could provide security, stability and democratic presence. Canada could be the United States without Washington’s alleged baggage. Those of us who understood the stakes were thankful.
However, as the Canadian military declined, the Canadian “We Aren’t America” game — particularly under Paul Martin’s Liberals — degenerated into rank, adolescent anti-Americanism. Is there a connection between increasingly strident, appeasement-laden rhetoric and the loss of military capability? I think the answer is “yes.”
Canada’s Conservatives have managed a narrow victory and now confront the challenges of a coalition government. Let’s hope the first consensus Canadians reach is to restore and revive the Canadian military.
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