New Honour for Veterans Announced

by David Robinson
Senior Communications Officer

The new Minister of Veterans Affairs, the Honourable Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, unveiled a new honour for veterans today, during his first visit to Veterans Affairs Canada's national headquarters in Charlottetown, PE.

Commencing his remarks with a tribute to the late Daniel J. MacDonald, a veteran of the Italian campaign and one of his predecessors as Minister of Veterans Affairs, Minister Pagtakhan said: "The story of how Daniel MacDonald came home to help build a nation is just one of tens of thousands of stories that could be told of Canadian veterans. About men and women who came home. To work hard and raise a new generation of Canadians. They asked for little in return - but that at least we should remember." In a gesture that the Minister called overdue, he announced a new way of recognizing those who, like MacDonald, have served veterans with distinction, helped build a compassionate, caring nation and worked to pass the torch of remembrance to new generations.

"I am very pleased today to be able to announce the creation of a special commendation award, he said. "Her Majesty the Queen has approved the design of a special bar to be worn with decorations; it will be known as the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation. The Governor General has now issued a Warrant creating this award which will be presented to those veterans - or in special cases to civilians - who have performed commendable service to the veteran community and for those who represent commendable role models for their fellow veterans."

Minister Pagtakhan paid special tribute to veterans who have done so much to serve former comrades-in-arms and the needs of their communities. "Our veterans, who fought through the difficulties of war, who saw the horrors of war, for them it has truly become a habit in their hearts and in their minds that they would like to continue to serve our country." The Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation, he said, would say "Thank You" to these unsung heroes.

A crowd of local veterans and Veterans Affairs employees watched as the insignia for the award was unveiled by Minister Pagtakhan and three representatives of the veteran community: Bertha Brown, President of the PEI Nursing Sisters Association, Jack MacEachern, Vice President of the PEI Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, and Milton Fitzpatrick, of the War Amputations of Canada.

The commendation consists of a gold-coloured bar featuring a stylized red poppy, which is overlaid with a maple leaf, and surmounted by a crown. The bar may be worn with decorations. A matching lapel pin will also be provided for recipients to wear with civilian clothing. Recipients will also receive a certificate marking their selection for the honour.

Minister Pagtakhan invited all Canadians to nominate veterans they think are deserving of the new honour. Nomination forms are available on-line and will soon be available at District and Regional offices of Veterans Affairs Canada. Each year a limited number of awards, not expected to exceed six, will be presented. The deadline for this year's nominations is April 30, 2002.

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