40th Anniversary of the Order of Military Merit celebrated

[Eye In The Sky]

Article Link, Air Force News  BZ to all recipients. 

40th anniversary of the Order of Military Merit celebrated
June 12, 2012


An Order of Military Merit (ORMM) investiture ceremony was held at Rideau Hall on June 8, during which Governor General David Johnston highlighted the 40th anniversary of the ORMM and presented 44 deserving Canadian Forces members with the honour.

"The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces are committed to honouring the valued contributions of our members," said Defence Minister Peter MacKay. "As we celebrate the Order of Military Merit's 40th anniversary and invest a new group into the Order, we are reminded of our Canadian Forces' dedication to the service of our country."

On July 1, 1972, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II established the ORMM to provide a worthy means of recognizing conspicuous merit and exceptional service by CF members. Since then, more than 4,000 distinguished members of Her Majesty's Canadian Forces have been recognized by Crown and Country for their outstanding service to Canada through admission or promotion in this prestigious Order, which is Canada's second national order, after the Order of Canada.

"The men and women of the Canadian Forces invested into the Order represent the very highest standards of devotion to duty and professional military service to Canada," said General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff. "I was very pleased that we were able to mark the 40th Anniversary of the ORMM not only with the investiture ceremony, but also with the launch of a new book [by Canadian honours historian Christopher McCreery] about the history of the Order, as well as by the unveiling of a special commemorative sculpture of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II."

The commemorative sculpture was unveiled by Mr. James B. Love, Chair of the Royal Canadian Mint Board of Directors. It is a duplicate of a bust of Her Majesty developed for the Government of Canada by Dominion Sculptor, Mr. Phil White. The sculpture depicts Her Majesty wearing her insignia as Sovereign of the Order of Canada and of the ORMM, as well as the Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia tiara, and Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee necklace. The sculpture will be permanently displayed in the main concourse of National Defence Headquarters, in Ottawa.

During the investiture, the following Canadian Forces personnel were inducted into the Order:

COMMANDERS

Major-General Yvan Blondin, C.M.M., C.D. (a promotion within the order)

Major-General Alan John Howard, C.M.M., M.S.M., C.D.

Major-General Ian Poulter, C.M.M., C.D. (a promotion within the order)

Major-General Walter Semianiw, C.M.M., M.S.C., C.D. (a promotion within the order)


OFFICERS

Lieutenant-Colonel Sean Boyle, O.M.M., C.D.

Brigadier-General Paul Bury, O.M.M., C.D.

Colonel Jamieson Cade, O.M.M., M.S.M., C.D.

Lieutenant-Commander Luke Charbonneau, O.M.M., C.D.

Major Marjorie Coakwell, O.M.M., C.D.

Colonel Martin Girard, O.M.M., M.S.M., C.D.

Colonel Hercule Gosselin, O.M.M., C.D.

Colonel Guy Maillet, O.M.M., C.D.

Lieutenant-Colonel Darlene Quinn, O.M.M., C.D.


MEMBERS

Warrant Officer Patrick Bowers, M.M.M., C.D.

Chief Warrant Officer Marcel Chiasson, M.M.M., C.D.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Yves Clément, M.M.M., M.S.M., C.D.

Chief Warrant Officer Bernard Curtis, M.M.M., C.D.

Master Warrant Officer Trent Doucette, M.M.M., C.D.

Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Walter Dubeau, M.M.M., C.D.

Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Dulong, M.M.M., C.D.

Chief Warrant Officer Karl Ellis, M.M.M., C.D.

Lieutenant (N) Linda Forward, M.M.M., C.D.

Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Garuk, M.M.M., C.D.

Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Janet Graham-Smith, M.M.M., C.D.

Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Koblun, M.M.M., C.D.

Chief Warrant Officer Robert Lamothe, M.M.M., C.D.

Chief Warrant Officer Guy Martin, M.M.M., C.D.

Warrant Officer Deryk McGougan, M.M.M., C.D.

Master Warrant Officer Stephen McNabb, M.M.M., C.D.

Captain Nathalie Mercer, M.M.M., C.D.

Master Warrant Officer Steven Merry, M.M.M., C.D.

Petty Officer 1st Class Dion Randell, M.M.M., C.D.

Chief Warrant Officer William Richards, M.M.M., M.S.M., C.D.

Chief Warrant Officer Patrice Rioux, M.M.M., C.D.

Master Warrant Officer Éric Saint-Pierre, M.M.M., C.D.

Chief Warrant Officer Jean-Paul Savoie, M.M.M., C.D.

Sergeant Karen Squires, M.M.M., C.D.

Chief Warrant Officer Guy St-Jean, M.M.M., C.D.

Master Warrant Officer Suzie Thibault, M.M.M., C.D.

Master Warrant Officer James Warwick, M.M.M., C.D.

Chief Warrant Officer Kevin West, M.M.M., C.D.

Warrant Officer Alfred Williston, M.M.M., C.D.

Warrant Officer François Yargeau, M.M.M., C.D.

Warrant Officer Troy Zuorro, M.M.M., C.D.

 

[Rheostatic]

Photos, and more photos.

 

[Rifleman62]

http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhr-ddhr/omm-eng.asp

The Order of Military Merit Book

Produced by the Directorate of Honours and Recognition, The Order of Military Merit was commissioned to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the foundation of this Order by Her Majesty the Queen on 1 July 1972.  This work by renowned Canadian honours historian Christopher McCreery is the first to examine the origins and development of the Order. This book highlights the history of this honour and pays tribute to the extraordinary men and women of Her Majesty’s Canadian Forces who have earned it and wear it with pride and distinction. (I believe the books lists all recipients to date).

A limited number of books will be distributed throughout the Canadian Forces by the Director Supply Chain Operations (DSCO) and an electronic version will soon be available on-line on the DH&R website. (not yet)

The Order of Military Merit 40th Anniversary Promotional Items

To enhance the visibility of the Order and to increase the feeling of brotherhood among its members, both serving and retired, a line of promotional items is being launched. They include a limited edition and numbered commemorative plate, cufflinks, a broach, a tie and scarf and other items. These may be purchased from the official supplier, Guthrie Wood Products Limited, at their new OMM Kit Shop available at www.guthriewoods.com/omm. These will undoubtedly be memorable gifts from family, colleagues and friends on the occasion of admissions or promotions in the Order or upon the retirement of a member of the Order. While anyone may purchase the articles, the wearable items may only be worn by members of the Order. Five percent of the wholesale price of each item sold will be donated to the Military Families Fund.