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Canadian soldiers get 'attaboys'

Silver

Well-known member
Four Canadian soldiers who risked their lives in Afghanistan have become the first to receive medals for "gallantry and devotion to duty in combat."

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean announced the national honours, which are awarded to recognize acts of valour, self-sacrifice or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy, on Friday.

The Star of Military Valour and the Medal of Military Valour were created in 1993, but this is the first time the decorations have been awarded. The actual medals themselves will be presented to the four soldiers at a ceremony at a later date.

"I'm very proud to introduce to you four Canadian heroes behind me," Gen. Rick Hillier, chief of defence staff, said at an event Friday evening in Calgary where the four men received ribbons to mark the announcement.

"Incredible soldiers. Canadians have heard me go on endlessly about what treasures they have in uniform and what credentials they are in fact for Canada internationally."

The Star of Military Valour is going to Sgt. Patrick Tower, who is based in Edmonton and is originally from Victoria.


On Aug. 3, Tower led a platoon medic and another soldier across 150 metres of open terrain and under heavy enemy fire to help wounded comrades.

After learning the acting platoon commander had been killed, he assumed command and successfully got his troops out under continuous fire from small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.

"People use the terms hero and things like that. When I think of the 3rd of August and what happened that day — that's the worst day of my life," said Tower, 34.

"We lost four guys in my platoon that day, and one of them was my best friend and to use the term hero, that's what I would use to describe them."

The other three will receive the Medal of Military Valour.

Sgt. Michael Thomas Denine of Edmonton exposed himself to enemy fire on May 17 after the main cannon and machine gun on his light armoured vehicle malfunctioned.

Steady stream of fire
Denine moved to the machine gun on top of the vehicle and laid down a steady stream of fire, forcing the enemy to withdraw.

"I was pretty scared but I wanted to get it done. I knew what I had to do," Denine recalled.

"Anybody in my platoon in that car that day, if they were in the same position they would have done the same thing."

On May 24, Master Cpl. Collin Ryan Fitzgerald of Morrisburg, Ont., and based at CFB Shilo in Manitoba, repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire by entering and re-entering a burning platoon vehicle and successfully driving it off a roadway, permitting remaining vehicles trapped in the enemy zone to break free.

The final medal will go to Pte. Jason Lamont of Greenwood, N.S., who is also based in Edmonton.

He is being recognized for his actions July 13, when members of a reconnaissance platoon were cut off during a firefight. The medic sprinted through open terrain to administer first aid to a wounded soldier.

Harper pays tribute
Prime Minister Stephen Harper paid tribute to the four soldiers, saying Canadians should be proud.

"I know all Canadians will wish to join us in offering congratulations to the four Canadian soldiers honoured with Military Valour Decorations today," Harper said in a release.

"These awards are among the very highest recognition Canada has to offer our soldiers for bravery in the midst of armed conflict. All are being honoured for truly heroic actions, under enemy fire."

The four soldiers shrugged off a series of rallies planned across the country on Saturday to protest the war and call for troops to be brought home.

"I believe in the mission over there and I wouldn't go there and do what I do if I didn't believe in the mission," Tower said.
 

cowsense

Well-known member
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Special thanks to the Armed Forces of every country that are engaged in making our world a better place!!! Medals are a decoration.....what they really need is the ENTIRE support of their home nations!!
 

memanpa

Well-known member
cowsense said:
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Special thanks to the Armed Forces of every country that are engaged in making our world a better place!!! Medals are a decoration.....what they really need is the ENTIRE support of their home nations!!

I agree 100%. can do with out the dissenters that spout hate and discontent and demoralize our fine fighting men
 

ranchwife

Well-known member
cowsense said:
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Special thanks to the Armed Forces of every country that are engaged in making our world a better place!!! Medals are a decoration.....what they really need is the ENTIRE support of their home nations!!


:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
:nod: :nod: :nod: :nod: :nod:
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!
 

Econ101

Well-known member
I am becoming increasingly concerned that our leaders are throwing the best we have at a problem that is not ours. IF the Iraqis want democracy, they are going to have to sacrifice as much as we have.
 

Steve

Well-known member
Special thanks to the Armed Forces of every country that are engaged in making our world a better place!!!

Thank you to "All our troops", and those who stand shoulder to shoulder with them..........

the Canadians have sacrificed many of thier own for US, lets not forget....

I thank you....
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Frankk said:
How about a pay raise for the troops along with the pat on the head.

Ben Stein- the very conservative author/TV star that was a speech writer for both Nixon and Ford had about the best idea I heard of...He said the wealthy, that always profit financially the most from any war and are again with Iraq, should fund additional benefits to the troops...

I don't remember what his exact figures were, but it was something like to put a 5% tax on the first 30% of income over $1 million of the millionaire class....He said this money could be used to greatly increase the wages, benefits and protective gear of the soldiers and better reward and care for the disabled veterans....

I never realized the number of folks that made over $1 million annually, but he quoted the figures it would generate and it would have been a windfall for the troops- but naturally you would never get it to go thru any of the politicians, since it would effect many of them....
 
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