Presentation of Meritorious Service and Military Valour Decorations

Rideau Hall, Friday, February 13, 2009

I am delighted to welcome to Rideau Hall men and women for whom service is synonymous with dedication and courage.

We all know that military service rests on discipline and a sense of duty; that the solidarity between you is unbreakable; that you train for years to face combat situations.

But few outside the Forces have any idea of what you really do, and even less the risks you run, removed as we are from the troubled regions of the world where you work, beginning with Afghanistan, where most you have been posted.

As we listen to you describe your life over there, as we catch bits of conversation here and there, as we read your mission reports, we begin to understand just what you are made of.

Your extraordinary courage, calm, altruism, savoir faire, ingenuity and determination are unsurpassed, and we want to recognize these qualities publicly.

Yet most of you respond to this show of admiration and gratitude by saying that this is what you are trained for, that you were just in the right place at the right time, that you were just doing your duty.

Such humility is to your credit and speaks volumes of your integrity and the depth of your commitment. But make no mistake: what you have accomplished goes well beyond the framework of your duties, obligations or training.

The servicewomen and men being honoured today with Meritorious Service Decorations have worked tirelessly, often under very difficult, at times unimaginable conditions, to help those in need.

Others played a key role in the success of a mission and did all they could to ensure that the Forces were as effective as possible.

Still others helped to re-establish order and stability in countries devastated by years of violence by demonstrating exceptional professionalism and leadership.

And then there are those military men and women being honoured for their valour.

You have risked your lives to save the lives of others. There is no greater sacrifice than to put your own life in danger for your comrades, let alone for women, men and children you have never even met.

I see the magnitude of that sacrifice every time I stand alongside grieving families on the tarmac at CFB Trenton, and I can tell you it is not easy.

No one knows better than you just how precious life is and how important it is to protect it.

You make every effort to ensure that all peoples of the world can attain their freedom, that they are able to thrive without fear of consequences, that women and children have access to the most basic rights, like health and education.

That is what inspires your commitment, wherever you seek to re-establish security and prosperity and to combat the forces of inaction and destruction.

Know that your efforts are not in vain.

Know that we are extremely grateful.

And know that you have inspired me, your commander-in-chief. On behalf of all Canadians, congratulations.

I would like to make special mention of Corporal Bryce Keller and Captain Jonathan Snyder, whom we are honouring posthumously today.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!