In Praise of Unsung Heroes

Fifty-two remarkable Canadians have been selected to receive the 2002 Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation to honour their selfless work on behalf of Veterans.

"The time has come to honour the work of some of these unsung heroes and to recognize their tremendous contribution to their communities and our country," said the Honourable Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan, Minister of Veterans Affairs.

Twenty-four individuals received their Commendation during a special ceremony in the Senate of Canada during Veterans' Week 2002. They are: Dr. A. Lynne Beal, Robert R. Cassels, H. Clifford Chadderton, Charles S. (Stu) Christie, James L. Davis, Jacques Dupuis, Robbins Elliott, Donald S. Ethell, Norman Graham, Cécile Houle, James Irvine, Walter A. Jones, Edwin Laird, Harold O. Leduc, Philip M. Lyons, Kathleen (Kit) MacNeill, C. James Margerum, the Hon. Jack Marshall, William J. Neil, Joyce G. Paynter, Les Peate, Donald James Saunders, John Stroud and Douglas L. Whorrall.

In January 2003, Minister Pagtakhan (pictured far right) presented Commendations to Allan Parks (centre) and Captain Terrence Hunter (left). Commendation recipient Samuel Ervin Clark (not pictured) also was recognized in a separate ceremony in January.

The remaining 25 Canadians will receive their Commendation in 2003 at a time and place to be determined. They are: Clovis Ira Bordeleau, Roger Cyr (posthumous), Donald Doal, Ernest F. Duncan, John Gardam, Gurdev Grewal, Harry E. Groom, Joe H. Haywood, the Hon. George Hees (posthumous), Joseph Kobolak, Armin Konn, Roy Lamore, Howe Lee, Roy Mah, William Mayne, Pearce G. Mercer, Frederick F. Moar, Martin J. Montague, Charles Murphy (posthumous), the Hon. Orville H. Phillips, Peter Schiefke, Ernest (Smokey) Smith, Percival Smith, John R. Sutherland and Frank B. Volterman.

Earlier in 2002, Minister Pagtakhan presented the first Minister's Commendation to First World War Veteran Paul Métivier. To learn more about our Commendation recipients, please visit our Web site at www.vac-acc.gc.ca.

Nomination forms for the 2003 Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation are available on-line through our Web site and at VAC's District and Regional Offices.