Order of Military Merit Investiture Ceremony

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, presided over an Order of Military Merit investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall on June 8, 2015.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Commander level (C.M.M.) to Lieutenant-General Michael Day, C.M.M., M.S.C., C.D., Chief of Force Development, Ottawa, Ontario. This is a promotion within the Order.

General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, also paid tribute to the men and women who have showed great professionalism, leadership and courage.

"You sit next to your comrades-in-arms, those who would stand by you in an instant," said the Governor General. "You come from all across this country, and also the United States. You come from different backgrounds and may even speak different languages. Yet, the uniform you put on marks you as kin, as someone others can rely on. The military family is a special one, and I’m proud, as commander-in-chief, to be a part of that family."

His Excellency bestowed the honour on 2 Commanders, 8 Officers and 38 Members.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Member level (M.M.M.) to Chief Warrant Officer Robert Viel, M.M.M., C.D., 4 Wing Headquarters, Cold Lake, Alberta.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Member level (M.M.M.) to Lieutenant(N) Heather Oake, M.M.M., C.D., Joint Personnel Support Unit Detachment Halifax, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Member level (M.M.M.) to Master Warrant Officer Crystal Harris, M.M.M., C.D., 4th Canadian Division Training Centre, Meaford, Ontario.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Member level (M.M.M.) to Sergeant Rachel Girard, M.M.M., C.D., 2nd Canadian Division Support Group Signal Squadron, Richelain, Quebec.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Member level (M.M.M.) to Major Stephen Gallagher, M.M.M., C.D., 4th Air Defence Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, Burton, New Brunswick.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Member level (M.M.M.) to Master Warrant Officer Raymond Brodeur, M.M.M., M.S.M., C.D., 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Edmonton, Alberta.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Officer level (O.M.M.) to Commander Sandra Sukstorf, O.M.M., C.D., Assistant Judge Advocate General Central, Toronto, Ontario.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Officer level (O.M.M.) to Lieutenant-Colonel James Peck, O.M.M., C.D., 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron, Hornell Heights, Ontario.

The recipients also thanked their families and loved ones for their support.