Meritorious Service Medal

• Awarded on: November 15, 2001
• Invested on: September 27, 2002

Guy Gabriel Edouard Gruwez, O.B.E., M.S.M., Ieper (Ypres), Belgium
Meritorious Service Medal (civil division)

A Belgian citizen, Guy Gruwez made a remarkable contribution to keeping alive the memory of the sacrifice of Canadian servicemen who served in World War I. He hosted thousands of Canadians who visited Menin Gate, in Ypres, to pay their respects to our soldiers who fought and died in surrounding Flanders Fields. His untiring work to commemorate a major element of Canada’s history led to the success of the 80th anniversary of the Armistice ceremony held in Ypres in November 1998. Through his longstanding Chairmanship of the Last Post Committee Association, he also played an important role in promoting positive Canadian-Belgian relations.