Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaėlle Jean
Speech on the Occasion of the Presentation of Military Valour Decorations and Meritorious Service Decorations
Rideau Hall, Friday, October 12, 2007
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You, the men we are honouring today, have put your lives in peril in order to pursue peace and foster stability in the world.
In order to defend freedom and justice.
In order to save the lives of others.
The lives of your team members, and the lives of women, children and men whose most basic rights are being abused.
It has been said that whomever you see in distress is a fellow man or woman.
You have put this fundamental principle into practice and demonstrated that you never leave someone behind, no matter what happens.
You have put the interests of others before your own.
Those of you here today understand the meaning of responsibility and devotion to duty.
You have agreed to make sacrifices, including the greatest one of all: risking your lives to save others.
And you have consented to make these sacrifices with valour and extraordinary courage.
I have stood with grieving families at CFB Trenton on many occasions—too many occasions.
As a mother, wife and sister, I can only imagine the anguish of the families and friends who have lost a loved one in Afghanistan.
But every time I hear that one of you has saved the lives of members of your company, I think about all the parents and spouses, children and friends, who were spared the pain of a tragic loss.
I can think of no greater honour than to know in your hearts that your actions have had such an incredible impact on the lives of so many people.
Many of you have acted as commanders in Afghanistan, playing a central role in combat operations.
Others have been active with NATO allies in various nations around the world, or taken part in other initiatives in the Middle East, in Africa, and on the Arabian Sea.
Some of you have developed programs designed to help Canadian Forces members and their families.
Others have played a lead role in the crucial area of military intelligence, while some of your fellow officers helped build capacity in Darfur, Ethiopia and elsewhere.
All of your accomplishments show the depth of your commitment.
They are also reminders of how our military has changed to keep pace with our evolving society.
There can be no development without security, and stability can only be achieved by providing education, establishing infrastructures, improving living conditions, and ensuring that the economy recovers.
That is the clear message I have heard from all the soldiers and humanitarian workers I have met, in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Whether training police officers and soldiers in a new democracy, helping Canadian victims of natural disasters, or delivering clean drinking water and medical care to survivors of the Tsunami in Southern Asia, the Canadian Forces are improving the lives of millions of people around the world.
On behalf of all your fellow Canadians, I want to tell you how proud I am of you and how pleased I am to present these decorations today.
I also want to say “thank you” for all that you do to make our world a better place.
History will remember the vital role you played in bringing security, justice and freedom to the world.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
