It only seems fitting that as more Canadian soldiers pay the ultimate price thousands of kilometres from home that their memories be recognized with a new medal that indicates how grateful we are as a nation for their sacrifice.
Earlier this month, the Canadian Forces announced it will be soon be awarding the first of many new Sacrifice Medals to those soldiers who die on military service.
First announced in August 2008 after being approved by the Queen, the project was put on hold after concerns were raised with the eligibility requirements. The original plan was to bestow the medal only on those soldiers injured or killed in circumstances related directly to hostile action.
In other words, soldiers injured or killed on duty, but not on the battlefield, would not have been eligible to receive the medal even though his or her injuries may have happened in hostile territory. Rightly so, the families of some soldiers were not impressed.
Under the new guidelines, the eligibility requirements have been expanded so that the medal will be awarded posthumously to any soldier who dies on military service – whether or not he or she is overseas or in a combat situation. With the change, those soldiers killed in accidents such as vehicle rollovers will now be eligible for the medal.
As well, eligibility goes back to Oct. 7, 2001, and covers the entire length of Canada’s mission to Afghanistan while those soldiers wounded in combat overseas will receive the Combat Medal instead of the old Wound Stripe.
It also seems appropriate that Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean will present the first medal during ceremonies tied to Remembrance Day. As she said in the media release announcing the medal, the governor general is correct in pointing out that countless Canadians put their health and safety on the line in hopes that democracy, security and peace will prevail in places they don’t exist.
It’s for that reason, Canada and all Canadians must recognize that courage and their sacrifice.