January 11, 2005 Ottawa -- The Honourable Albina Guarnieri, Minister of Veterans Affairs, announced today the names of those outstanding Canadians who will receive the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation for their service to their fellow Canadians. Presentation of the commendations to the recipients will take place during ceremonies to be held in their honour during 2005, which was recently declared as the Year of the Veteran. "Our Veterans served our country during times of greatest need but their dedication and commitment did not stop at the end of the war," said Minister Guarnieri. "I am honoured to present the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation to these men and women who have served their fellow Veterans in peace and remind all Canadians why we need to remember, and why, in our hearts, every year should be the Year of the Veteran. Their devotion and generosity are an inspiration to us all." The Commendation is awarded to individuals who have contributed to the care and well-being of Veterans and to the remembrance of their contributions, sacrifices and achievements. It is intended primarily for Veterans, but in rare circumstances may also be awarded to non-Veterans. The Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation consists of a bar, which can be worn above or below official decorations on a Veteran's blazer, a lapel pin for civilian wear and a certificate. More information, including an image of the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation, can be found on the Veterans Affairs Canada web site. The following individuals will receive the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation during ceremonies to be held across the country in the coming months: Jack Ambler - Regina, Saskatchewan Howard Anderson - Punnichy, Saskatchewan George Aucoin - Cheticamp, Nova Scotia Fred Bannister - Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador Joseph Bishara - Yarmouth, Nova Scotia Arthur Boon - Stratford, Ontario Mary Ann Burdett, Terrace, British Columbia James Cohen - Rexdale, Ontario Christian Couture - Saint-Gédéon, Quebec Thomas Cove - Victoria, British Columbia Rufus Covey - Halifax, Nova Scotia Leslie Deane - Burnaby, British Columbia David Davidson - Kitchener, Ontario Frank and Izaline Davidson - Concord, Massaschusets, USA Gerry Den Hartogh - St. Thomas, Ontario Louis DesChamp - London, Ontario Russell Dillabough - Deep River, Ontario Fred Doroshenko - London, Ontario Ronald Edison - Toronto, Ontario Aurèle Ferlatte - Dalhousie, New Brunswick William Ford - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador J. Richard Genin - Laval, Quebec Edward Gillette - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan John Gillis - Winnipeg, Manitoba Larry Gray - Carleton Place, Ontario John Grenning - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador (posthumous) Foster Griezic - Victoria, British Columbia Edmund (Ted) Griffiths - Ottawa, Ontario* James R. (Bob) Hannah - Drumheller, Alberta Laurence Harrison - Maple Ridge, British Columbia Ken Henderson - Montréal, Quebec Edward Howlett - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador Derek Irons - Vancouver, British Columbia Leonard Johansson - Winnipeg, Manitoba William (Bill) Judge - Peterborough, Ontario Stewart Kelly - West Vancouver, British Columbia Conrad Kornberger - Regina, Saskatchewan Kenneth MacAskill - Thunder Bay, Ontario Albert W. McKaig - Brandon, Manitoba (posthumous) Vera Morgan - Islington, Ontario Laurence Motiuk - Ottawa, Ontario Peter Neary - London, Ontario Dudley Pearn - Miscouche, Prince Edward Island Claude Petit - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Robert Rideout - Botwood, Newfoundland and Labrador Val Rimer - Calgary, Alberta Laurent Rivard - Boucherville, Quebec Edward Rogers - Kateville, Quebec Robert Ross - Mississauga, Ontario Wallace Smith - Peterborough, Ontario Stuart Soward - Victoria, British Columbia William Steel - Shellbrook, Saskatchewan Gordon Strathy - Petawawa, Ontario Lloyd Swick - Ottawa, Ontario William Tanner - Peachland, British Columbia * Presented on November 5, 2004 at Veterans' Week Senate Ceremony in Ottawa - 30 - Media Enquiries: Janice Summerby Media Relations Advisor Veterans Affairs Canada (613) 992-7468 Mike Scandiffio Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs (613) 996-4649 All Other Enquiries: information@vac-acc.gc.ca
