Order of Military Merit Investiture Ceremony

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, will preside over an Order of Military Merit investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall. Created in 1972, the Order recognizes meritorious service and devotion to duty by members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Commander level (C.M.M.) to Major-General Dean James Milner, C.M.M., M.S.C., C.D., 1st Canadian Division Headquarters Kingston, Ontario. This is a promotion within the Order.

His Excellency bestowed the honour on 2 Commanders, 8 Officers and 29 Members.

The audience warmly applauded the 39 recipients.

"Wherever you serve and whatever your role in the forces, you show great professionalism, leadership and courage," said the Governor General. "You inspire others to do the same. You shine brightly, and now, with this investiture, you join a long line of others who have served Canada with distinction."

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Member level (M.M.M.) to Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Wilfred Stone, M.M.M., C.D., Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Charlottetown, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Member level (M.M.M.) to Master Corporal Thomas Nickel, M.M.M., C.D., 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, Victoria, British Columbia.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Member level (M.M.M.) to Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Gérard Marc Gabanna, M.M.M., C.D., 2nd Canadian Division Support Group, Montréal, Quebec.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Member level (M.M.M.) to Warrant Officer Stephen Michael Dawe, M.M.M., C.D., 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, Edmonton, Alberta.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Officer level (O.M.M.) to Colonel Marie Céline Danielle Savard, O.M.M., M.S.M., C.D., Office of Director Military Careers Administration, Ottawa, Ontario.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Officer level (O.M.M.) to Major Rickey Maxwell Lewis, O.M.M., C.D., Regional Cadet Support Unit (Pacific), Victoria, British Columbia.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Officer level (O.M.M.) to Lieutenant-Colonel Steven Leslie Hart, O.M.M., C.D., 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown, Oromocto, New Bruswick.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Officer level (O.M.M.) to Brigadier-General Joseph Serge Steve Dany Fortin, O.M.M., C.D., 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron, Courcelette, Quebec.

His Excellency presented the Order of Military Merit at the Commander level (C.M.M.) to Lieutenant-General Pierre St-Amand, C.M.M., C.D., Deputy Commander North American Aerospace Defence Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States of America. This is a promotion within the Order.

The Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Guy R. Thibault, also paid tribute to the men and women who have showed great professionalism, leadership and courage. ef of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Guy R. Thibault.