While there is the ALERT bar to the SSM, this proposal is notable.
PUBLICATION: Edmonton Journal
DATE: 2008.09.11
EDITION: Final
SECTION: Letters
PAGE: A19
COLUMN: Guest Column
BYLINE: Austin Mardon
SOURCE: Freelance
________________________________________
Canada needs own medal to honour citizens' service in Far North
________________________________________
I was privileged to be a member of a National Science Foundation/NASA research mission to Antarctica in 1986. In my two months of service, I came within 170 kilometres of the South Pole, on the same plateau that took the lives of Captain Robert Scott and his party in 1912. I came closer to the pole that year than any other Canadian in the field.
During that time, I was stunned by the sheer physical endurance it takes to work in that type of harsh climate. When I was preparing to deploy to Antarctica, I was warned that the chance was great that I would return with permanent disabilities. They were right.
On out-processing in New Zealand, the doctors told me the frostbite damage to my feet would likely require their amputation by the time I turned 40. The cold air on the polar plateau seared my lungs.
At the completion of my tour in Antarctica, I was awarded the U.S. Navy's Antarctic Service Medal, primarily because the Canadian government doesn't presently award any type of polar service medal.
The original polar medal was first awarded by the Queen in 1847 http://www.medals.org.uk/united-kingdom/united-kingdom086.htm to the men searching for Sir John Franklin's expedition to find the Northwest Passage. Before 1968, the British Polar Medal was awarded to all who participated in any Polar expedition endorsed by the government of any Commonwealth country.
Today, the British Polar Medal is only awarded to selected British individuals "for extreme human endeavour against the appalling weather and conditions that exist in the Arctic and Antarctic." The Government of Australia has since replaced the British Polar Medal with its own Australian Antarctic Medal, and on Sept. 1, 2006 the New Zealand Antarctic Medal was also instituted.
It continues to seem strange to me that our great country, whose northern border is on the Arctic Sea, doesn't recognize its citizens' service in these harsh environs.
At a time when Arctic sovereignty is a front-page story, it would seem past time to catch up to our Commonwealth family. Many other world powers have instituted a system of civilian and military honours to recognize scientific, government and military service done in the polar regions, most importantly, the United States and Russia.
Canada is the only member of the Commonwealth with polar interests that does not recognize the service of its citizens in this increasingly important realm. As our sovereignty over our Northern border is contested by other countries, it is difficult to understand why we do not consider service in those regions worthy of honour. A Canadian medal to match those instituted by our Commonwealth brethren, with a picture of our northern boundaries, would be a visible commitment for the rest of the world to see that we acknowledge the importance of these regions, and our not yielding subservience to any nation.
Even if all parties can't agree on the cause of the rapid sea ice melt in the Northwest Passage, it is obvious to all that the Arctic region is quickly becoming a new final frontier. Other countries are salivating at the prospect of new markets, new mineral discoveries, and of course oil-drilling opportunities.
How we defend the Arctic and how we support and defend those brave and hearty enough to serve there, is going to be a very visible indication of our intentions and our sovereignty. I have presented this proposal for a new medal to the Governor General for consideration by the honours committee.
Austin Mardon is a member of the Order of Canada, and has participated in research expeditions to both Antarctica and our Arctic. He served in the Canadian reserves in his youth
PUBLICATION: Edmonton Journal
DATE: 2008.09.11
EDITION: Final
SECTION: Letters
PAGE: A19
COLUMN: Guest Column
BYLINE: Austin Mardon
SOURCE: Freelance
________________________________________
Canada needs own medal to honour citizens' service in Far North
________________________________________
I was privileged to be a member of a National Science Foundation/NASA research mission to Antarctica in 1986. In my two months of service, I came within 170 kilometres of the South Pole, on the same plateau that took the lives of Captain Robert Scott and his party in 1912. I came closer to the pole that year than any other Canadian in the field.
During that time, I was stunned by the sheer physical endurance it takes to work in that type of harsh climate. When I was preparing to deploy to Antarctica, I was warned that the chance was great that I would return with permanent disabilities. They were right.
On out-processing in New Zealand, the doctors told me the frostbite damage to my feet would likely require their amputation by the time I turned 40. The cold air on the polar plateau seared my lungs.
At the completion of my tour in Antarctica, I was awarded the U.S. Navy's Antarctic Service Medal, primarily because the Canadian government doesn't presently award any type of polar service medal.
The original polar medal was first awarded by the Queen in 1847 http://www.medals.org.uk/united-kingdom/united-kingdom086.htm to the men searching for Sir John Franklin's expedition to find the Northwest Passage. Before 1968, the British Polar Medal was awarded to all who participated in any Polar expedition endorsed by the government of any Commonwealth country.
Today, the British Polar Medal is only awarded to selected British individuals "for extreme human endeavour against the appalling weather and conditions that exist in the Arctic and Antarctic." The Government of Australia has since replaced the British Polar Medal with its own Australian Antarctic Medal, and on Sept. 1, 2006 the New Zealand Antarctic Medal was also instituted.
It continues to seem strange to me that our great country, whose northern border is on the Arctic Sea, doesn't recognize its citizens' service in these harsh environs.
At a time when Arctic sovereignty is a front-page story, it would seem past time to catch up to our Commonwealth family. Many other world powers have instituted a system of civilian and military honours to recognize scientific, government and military service done in the polar regions, most importantly, the United States and Russia.
Canada is the only member of the Commonwealth with polar interests that does not recognize the service of its citizens in this increasingly important realm. As our sovereignty over our Northern border is contested by other countries, it is difficult to understand why we do not consider service in those regions worthy of honour. A Canadian medal to match those instituted by our Commonwealth brethren, with a picture of our northern boundaries, would be a visible commitment for the rest of the world to see that we acknowledge the importance of these regions, and our not yielding subservience to any nation.
Even if all parties can't agree on the cause of the rapid sea ice melt in the Northwest Passage, it is obvious to all that the Arctic region is quickly becoming a new final frontier. Other countries are salivating at the prospect of new markets, new mineral discoveries, and of course oil-drilling opportunities.
How we defend the Arctic and how we support and defend those brave and hearty enough to serve there, is going to be a very visible indication of our intentions and our sovereignty. I have presented this proposal for a new medal to the Governor General for consideration by the honours committee.
Austin Mardon is a member of the Order of Canada, and has participated in research expeditions to both Antarctica and our Arctic. He served in the Canadian reserves in his youth
