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CALGARY, Alberta—Four Canadian Forces soldiers, true Canadian heroes for their acts of valour during combat operations in Afghanistan, were introduced by General Rick Hillier, the Chief of Defence Staff, at the annual 2006 Calgary Leadership Dinner gala event on 27October last. In his opening remarks, General Hillier announced that this is the first time the awards of Military Valour are being presented since they were created in 1993. "We have four individuals with us tonight who have been awarded valour decorations by our country for their actions on operations in the presence of the enemy… and I would ask that you stand and recognize them as the great Canadian heroes that they are." Awarded the Star of Military Valour is Sergeant Patrick Tower, 1St Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), for valiant actions taken on 3 August. On that date, Sgt Tower assumed command of his platoon and led the successful extraction of the force under continuous small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. The Medal of Military Valour is awarded to three soldiers. Sergeant Michael Denine, 1 PPCLI, was presented with the award for selfless actions on 17 May when, under intense enemy fire the main gun of his LAV III failed. Without regard for his own safety he exited the vehicle though the sentry hatch to engage the enemy with the pintle-mounted machine gun. Master Corporal Collin Ryan Fitzgerald, 2 PPCLI, is awarded the Medal for repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire by entering and re-entering a burning platoon vehicle to drive it off the road allowing the remaining vehicle to break free from the enemy kill zone. Corporal Jason Lamont, then Private, 1 Field Ambulance, is awarded the Medal for tremendous courage displayed on 13 July, when, as a medic, he took it upon himself to sprint through open terrain to administer first aid to a soldier that had been shot and was down. All of the soldiers were very humbled and a bit overwhelmed by the experience of receiving their awards of valour. As Sgt Denine told the media before the dinner, "The way I look at this whole medal is that it is for everyone in my platoon and everybody earned it. I am just the representative." Sgt Tower added, "The true heroes of these days are the troops that didn't come home with us, the troops that were killed in action they're the true heroes that we should concentrate on and the sacrifices that they made." As humble as they are the four soldiers honoured are truly deserving of our respect and are inspirations to all serving Canadian Forces members here at home and on operations all over the world. For more information on the decorations of valour and the details of courageous and selfless actions by the four soldiers visit http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4905. Article by Sgt Mike Van Den Broek
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