Presentation of Military Decorations

From January 2010 to February 2015, Lieutenant-Colonel Dwayne Michael Lemon, M.S.C., C.D. founded and led the Canadian Armed Forces Forensic Odontology Response Team (FORT), the first North American forensic capability to integrate mental resilience training. With innovative professionalism, he generated personnel for three response undertakings: the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the First Air crash near Resolute Bay in 2011, and following an oilfield attack in Algeria in 2013. By improving the performance and well-being of FORT members while promoting and advancing enhanced disaster victim identification, Lieutenant-Colonel Lemon brought world-class benefits, recognition and honour to the Canadian Armed Forces.

Military personnel were also thanked for their service by the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Guy R. Thibault, C.M.M., M.S.C., C.D.

"Your uniform is a symbol of your commitment to Canada, but it’s what you do in that uniform that really counts," said the Governor General. "I’m proud to be commander-in-chief. I’m proud to salute your efforts and to say thank you for your service. Canada is grateful for all that you’ve done."

On June 25, 2013, Lieutenant David Gauvin, M.B., C.D. and Annick Lajoie, M.B. rescued a man from a burning vehicle following a collision near Saint-Augustin, Quebec. Using blankets and fire extinguishers to douse the fire, Lieutenant Gauvin slipped into the vehicle to continue fighting the flames while Ms. Lajoie entered through the trunk. Despite the heat and toxic fumes, Ms. Lajoie succeeded in partially removing the victim by the driver’s side door and attempted to revive him. Sadly, the victim did not survive.

The Medal of Bravery awarded to Ms. Lajoie was presented to her at a previous ceremony.

From January 2013 to October 2014, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Luc Lavoie, M.S.M. was actively involved in planning and orchestrating the media campaign and commemorative events marking the Royal 22e Régiment’s centennial. He demonstrated outstanding leadership in creating the winning conditions in which to showcase the Canadian Armed Forces provincially, nationally and internationally as never before.

On January 9, 2013, Sergeant Aaron David Bygrove, M.S.M., C.D. and Master-Corporal Bruno Robitaille, M.S.M. rescued two Inuit hunters and a civilian pilot whose aircraft had crashed through the ice on Hudson Bay, near Arviat, Nunavut. Working in bitterly cold weather conditions, they performed a perilous parachute jump onto an extremely thin ice floe. Displaying skill and professionalism, Sergeant Bygrove and Master Corporal Robitaille successfully rescued both the hunters and the pilot.

From 2008 to 2014, Lieutenant-Colonel Abderrahim Bellahnid, M.S.M., C.D. demonstrated outstanding leadership and technical knowledge as director of Project MERCURY GLOBAL, which aims to improve wideband satellite communication capacity. He successfully led a team of specialists during negotiations with the United States Air Force, under tight deadlines, to allow Canada’s participation in initiatives related to the wideband global satellite communications system. Lieutenant-Colonel Bellahnid’s professionalism brought great honour to the Canadian Armed Forces and to Canada.

Captain(N) Christophe Antoine Marie Balducchi, M.S.M. (French Navy) demonstrated outstanding dedication and professionalism while serving as defence attaché at the French Embassy in Ottawa, from 2013 to 2015. He played a significant role in recognizing the service and sacrifice of past and present Canadian soldiers by organizing a wide range of commemorative activities that strengthened the ties of friendship between France and Canada. Captain(N) Balducchi’s contribution to recognizing our military personnel has brought great honour to Canada.

As Canadian defence attaché to Kyiv from March 2014 to September 2015, Colonel Pierre Joseph Albert Paul St-Cyr, M.S.M., C.D. (Ret’d) played a key role in distributing significant donations of military equipment from Canada and in developing a whole-of-government military training assistance program for Ukraine. His extensive knowledge was critical to developing a program to provide tangible tactical training to the appropriate elements of Ukraine’s armed forces. Colonel St-Cyr’s outstanding contribution brought great credit to the Canadian Armed Forces and strengthened Canada’s international reputation.

This is the third Meritorious Service Medal awarded to Colonel St-Cyr.

The Governor General presented Meritorious Service Decorations (Military Division) and Bravery Decorations to members of the Canadian Armed Forces and allied forces at a ceremony at Rideau Hall, on April 29, 2016.