- Reaction score
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- 410
Couldn't resist:
I agree with Armymedic. Nothing about the current system is broken, so why fix it? The "Vimy Cross" idea smacks of historical revisionism at best and an anti-British attitude at worst.
There is a shiny new pamphlet issued by DHH (I have it in front of me now) that explains why the "military valour" medals have yet to be issued (page 11). I'll quote the section in full:
Makes sense to me.... As for "replacing" the VC with a politically-motivated, pseudo-historical "Canadian" decoration, no thanks...
I agree with Armymedic. Nothing about the current system is broken, so why fix it? The "Vimy Cross" idea smacks of historical revisionism at best and an anti-British attitude at worst.
There is a shiny new pamphlet issued by DHH (I have it in front of me now) that explains why the "military valour" medals have yet to be issued (page 11). I'll quote the section in full:
The three Military Valour Decorations (MVDs) (Victoria Cross, Star of Military Valour and
Medal of Military Valour) were created on 1 January 1993 to recognize acts of valour, selfsacrifice
or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. They can be awarded in situations
short of war if the troops are in "combat" with an organized, armed "enemy" that is recognized
as such by the Canadian people. It must be understood however that "combat" is not
merely the presence of fire. Rather, the fire has to be directed at our troops, with the intent
of our troops being the destruction of the opposing force as a valid entity. The word "enemy"
in this context means a hostile armed force, and includes armed terrorists, armed mutineers,
armed rebels, armed rioters and armed pirates.
It should be noted that conflicting parties in a peacekeeping context are not considered
enemies and although there may be altercations with the CF in a peacekeeping mission, the
use of force by the CF will generally be limited to self-defence. This is why MVDs are not
generally awarded during peacekeeping operations.
Makes sense to me.... As for "replacing" the VC with a politically-motivated, pseudo-historical "Canadian" decoration, no thanks...