Statement from CDS
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=2129
Statement by the Chief of the Defence Staff on the First-Ever Awarding of Military Valour Decorations
NR-06.079 - October 27, 2006
OTTAWA - General Rick Hillier, the Chief of the Defence Staff, issued the following statement today on the first-ever awarding of Military Valour Decorations to four Canadian soldiers.
"Today is a great, proud and historic day for the Canadian Forces and for Canada. Her Excellency the Governor General-the Commander-in-Chief of Canada-announced earlier today that four Canadian soldiers have been honoured with Military Valour Decorations for heroic and selfless acts in Afghanistan in recent months.
These are among the very highest honours we have to offer for those who show courage in the presence of the enemy. More than that, this is also a first - today is the very first time these awards have been given-the first time the high standard has been met-since they were created some 14 years ago.
The four honoured soldiers are:
Sergeant Patrick Tower, of Victoria, British Columbia - The Star of Military Valour;
and the Medal of Military Valour, to
Sergeant Michael Thomas Victor Denine, of Edmonton, Alberta.
Master Corporal Collin Ryan Fitzgerald, of Morrisburg, Ontario; and
Private Jason Lamont, of Greenwood, Nova Scotia.
You need only to read the citations for these soldiers to understand the meaning of true heroism: running across open terrain under heavy enemy fire to give aid to wounded and stranded comrades; clearing burning vehicles from a roadway under fire to allow others to get to safety; taking exceptional and resourceful measures under the worst possible pressure to suppress enemy fire and save the lives of fellow soldiers.
These actions reinforce my personal belief that the men and women of the Canadian Forces are among the best, brightest and bravest this country has to offer. Today all their comrades-in-arms in our military offer their heartfelt congratulations to these exceptional soldiers."
Congrats from PM, DefMin on Conservative Party Page:
http://www.conservative.ca/EN/1091/57415
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor today paid tribute to the four Canadian soldiers who were today named by Her Excellency the Governor General as the first-ever recipients of the Military Valour Decoration for their heroic actions in Afghanistan between May and August 2006.
Created in 1993 but never before awarded, the Military Valour Decoration expressly recognizes valour, self-sacrifice or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. The soldiers named today are: Sergeant Michael Thomas Victor Denine, of Edmonton, Alberta; Master Corporal Collin Ryan Fitzgerald, of Morrisburg, Ontario; Private Jason Lamont, of Greenwood, Nova Scotia; and Sergeant Patrick Tower, of Victoria, British Columbia.
"I know all Canadians will wish to join us in offering congratulations to the four Canadian soldiers honoured with Military Valour Decorations today,” said the Prime Minister. "These awards are among the very highest recognition Canada has to offer our soldiers for bravery in the midst of armed conflict. All are being honoured for truly heroic actions, under enemy fire.”
"I offer my highest praise to these true Canadian heroes, who represent the very best of our Canadian Forces and of Canada. They stand for the devotion to duty and steadfastness of all the men and women who serve this country, at home and abroad,” added Minister O’Connor.
Sergeant Denine, Master Corporal Fitzgerald, Private Lamont and Sergeant Tower will be presented with their decoration by Her Excellency the Governor General at a ceremony to be held at a later date.