January 31, 2005 OTTAWA – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, and His Excellency John Ralston Saul will preside over a presentation ceremony of the Decorations for Bravery at Rideau Hall on Friday, February 4, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. The Governor General will present two Stars of Courage and 34 Medals of Bravery to Canadians. The Decorations for Bravery––the Cross of Valour, the Star of Courage and the Medal of Bravery––were instituted in 1972. The Cross of Valour is awarded for acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril. The Star of Courage is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril. The Medal of Bravery is awarded for acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances. A media schedule for the Bravery decorations presentation ceremony (Annex A), a complete list of recipients (Annex B) and the citations for the recipients (Annex C), are attached. -30- Media information Rideau Hall Press Office (613) 998-0287 or (613) 993-8158 Public information The Chancellery of Honours, Government House (613) 993-2569 or 1 800 465-6890 For more information on the Canadian Honours System, please visit the Governor General's web site at www.gg.ca ANNEX A The scenario for the ceremony is as follows: 9:45 a.m. Arrival of media 9:55 a.m. Sound and light checks 10:00 a.m. Guests begin to arrive in the Ballroom 10:15 a.m. All media are in place 10:30 a.m. Their Excellencies enter the Ballroom Viceregal Salute The Governor General speaks The Governor General presents the Decorations for Bravery 11:30 a.m. National Anthem End of ceremony ANNEX B STAR OF COURAGE Master-Corporal Jason Cory Hamilton, S.C. Trenton, Ontario Corporal Danny Joseph Matthews, S.C. Pembroke, Ontario MEDAL OF BRAVERY R. Wade Adey, M.B. (posthumous) Weybridge, Newfoundland and Labrador Serge Bachand, M.B. Marieville, Quebec Don Bannister, M.B. Shoal Harbour, Newfoundland and and Labrador Corporal Joseph Paul Herbert Bolmer, M.B., C.D. Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec Eric Charles Bonnell, M.B. Italy Cross, Nova Scotia RCMP Staff Sergeant Joseph Marcel Normand Boucher, M.B. Manotick, Ontario Jeff Bradt, M.B. Windsor, Ontario Bruce Brewer, M.B. London, Ontario Brian Brown, M.B. Kirkfield, Ontario Jennifer Clarkson, M.B. Calgary, Alberta Travis Clarkson, M.B. Calgary, Alberta Germain Couture, M.B. Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec Joaquim Jorge DaSilva, M.B. Wallaceburg, Ontario Edward James Forster, M.B. Stayner, Ontario Daniel John Aron Francis, M.B. Truro, Nova Scotia Todd David Gittins, M.B. Winnipeg, Manitoba Leading Seaman Kevin Duncan Grant, M.B. (Retired) Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.A. Gerald James Kers, M.B. Stayner, Ontario Serge Landry, M.B. (posthumous) Amqui, Quebec Andrew James Lowe, M.B. Stayner, Ontario James Edwin Lowe, M.B. Stayner, Ontario Mark Paul McKean, M.B. Stayner, Ontario Robert Keith McKean, M.B. Stayner, Ontario Kathleen Anne Merrylees, M.B. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Murray Micks, M.B. Stayner, Ontario Gregory V. Morozov, M.B. Dundas, Ontario Michael William Payne, M.B. Stayner, Ontario Kevin Jabez Reid, M.B. Bishop's Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador Derek Sheard, M.B. Stayner, Ontario Denise Edna Sheppard, M.B. Mindemoya, Ontario Sean Edward Spragg, M.B. Meaford, Ontario Leslie Joseph Staniowski, M.B. (posthumous) North Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A. Nadia Vracotas, M.B. St-Laurent, Quebec Brian Nelson Wills, M.B. Rideau Ferry, Ontario ANNEX C Star of Courage Master-Corporal Jason Cory Hamilton, S.C., Trenton, Ontario Corporal Danny Joseph Matthews, S.C., Pembroke, Ontario Star of Courage On October 2, 2003, after their convoy's lead vehicle had struck an anti-tank mine, MCpl Jason Hamilton and Cpl Danny Matthews entered an undefined minefield to recover three of their stricken comrades, near Kabul, Afghanistan. Despite the imminent danger of exploding ammunition and grenades complicating an already chaotic scene, MCpl Hamilton courageously led the rescue party, prodding the ground in front of him for more mines. He and Cpl Matthews worked their way onto the dangerous terrain until they reached the first fallen soldier. After escorting the wounded victim back to safety to administer first aid, Cpl Matthews then returned and followed MCpl Hamilton, advancing farther into the minefield only to discover that the mine blast had claimed the lives of the two other soldiers. Medal of Bravery R. Wade Adey, M.B. (posthumous), Weybridge, Newfoundland and Labrador Don Bannister, M.B., Shoal Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador Medal of Bravery On May 31, 2003, Wade Adey lost his life after rescuing Don Bannister and his seven-year-old grandson from drowning in British Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador. Mr. Adey, Mr. Bannister and Mr. Bannister's grandson were chopping iceberg chunks in the mouth of the harbour when the thick mass floundered, capsized their seven-metre boat and threw them into the freezing water. Determined to help the child out of the water, the men struggled for 20 minutes before they managed to lift him onto the slippery iceberg. Despite exhaustion and the onset of hypothermia, Mr. Adey was then able to push Mr. Bannister onto the ice mass. When, in turn, Mr. Bannister's repeated attempts to lift his friend out of the water proved unsuccessful, he swam to shore for assistance. Unfortunately, when help arrived in a row boat, Mr. Adey had been in the water for two hours and could not be saved. The decoration awarded to Mr. Adey will be received by his spouse, Mrs. Millicent Adey. Serge Bachand, M.B., Marieville, Quebec Medal of Bravery On August 3, 2003, Serge Bachand rescued a woman from a burning vehicle on Highway 2 in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick. The car in which the victim was a passenger had crashed head-on into a group of motorcycles after narrowly avoiding the motorcycle Mr. Bachand was driving. Mr. Bachand rushed toward the car, which had caught fire, and saw the woman trapped under the dashboard. After unsuccessfully trying to open her door, he was able to enter the car through the back door. By pulling as hard as he could, he managed to lower the seatback of the victim, who was overcome by panic. He grasped her under the arms, removed her from the vehicle and, helped by others, carried her to safety. Corporal Joseph Paul Herbert Bolmer, M.B., C.D., Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec Medal of Bravery On December 5, 2001, Cpl Herbert Bolmer risked his life attempting to rescue his neighbour from her burning apartment, in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec. Noticing smoke pouring out of the apartment, Cpl Bolmer attempted to gain access to the dwelling but was barred entry by the locked front door. Undeterred, he raced to the back of the building and entered through the patio door that was left ajar. He searched the unit's main floor, but the thick smoke and intense heat forced him to retreat. As he was exiting the apartment, part of the ceiling fell on him, causing severe burns to his head and face. The victim was eventually found in an upstairs bedroom by firefighters, but unfortunately, could not be revived. Eric Charles Bonnell, M.B., Italy Cross, Nova Scotia Medal of Bravery On May 6, 2003, Eric Bonnell rescued an elderly woman from a burning house, in Italy Cross, Nova Scotia. When he noticed smoke coming from his neighbour's home, Mr. Bonnell ran to the scene and entered the house through the unlocked back door. Crouching beneath the thick smoke, he searched for the elderly woman until he caught sight of her in her bedroom. While the fire ripped through the two-storey house, setting ceilings and walls ablaze, Mr. Bonnell reached the victim and retraced his route to exit the house, carrying her to safety. RCMP Staff Sergeant Joseph Marcel Normand Boucher, M.B., Manotick, Ontario Medal of Bravery On January 12, 2003, S/Sgt. Normand Boucher rescued a man and a woman after their snowmobile broke through the ice of the Rideau River in Manotick, Ontario. Alerted by the victims' cries for help, Mr. Boucher grabbed a ladder and ran to the river. Crawling on the ladder he had placed on the thin ice, Mr. Boucher made his way to the frantic victims. He managed to pull the woman from the water and drag her to shore. He then returned to the hole and, although numb from lying in several inches of freezing water, made numerous attempts to remove the man from the icy river. Despite the ladder sliding farther into the water as the ice started to give way, Mr. Boucher held onto the victim until others arrived with a rope and pulled them to safety. Regrettably, the man did not survive the ordeal. Jeff Bradt, M.B., Windsor, Ontario Gregory V. Morozov, M.B., Dundas, Ontario Medal of Bravery On July 19, 2003, while trying to save his younger brother from drowning, 18-year-old Jeff Bradt was rescued by Gregory Morozov in Lake Erie, off Point Pelee National Park, Ontario. Jeff's 16-year-old brother had walked some 500 metres into the lake on a sandbar when a strong current swept him into treacherous waters. Jeff jumped in after him but he too was carried out into the surf and unable to reach his brother who disappeared under the surface and drowned. Alerted to the situation from shore, Mr. Morozov grabbed a life ring and swam out to Jeff, some 300 metres off the tip of the point. Battling the powerful flows, he reached the exhausted teenager, placed the buoy over him and swam with him in tow until they reached the shore, some 15 minutes later. Bruce Brewer, M.B., London, Ontario Medal of Bravery On July 29, 2003, Bruce Brewer put his life at risk to pull a severely injured man out of a burning truck on Highway 402, in London, Ontario. Mr. Brewer was starting a camping trip when he came upon a two-vehicle accident. First at the scene, Mr. Brewer struggled to get the door open and help the dazed passenger out of the flaming truck. While onlookers used extinguishers to fight the fire, Mr. Brewer climbed back into the front seat to try to save the unconscious driver, only to find that the seatbelt was jammed. Despite fire, intense smoke and two explosions, Mr. Brewer remained in the cab until he had freed the victim and, helped by other people, carried him to safety. Brian Brown, M.B., Kirkfield, Ontario Medal of Bravery On March 9, 2002, Brian Brown saved two fishermen from being swept out to the open water by 90-kilometres-an-hour winds, on Lake of Bays, near Baysville, Ontario. Mr. Brown was ice-fishing when a violent rain storm rolled across the lake. He was picked up by the wind when he stepped out of his fishing hut and thrown face down on the slippery ice. As he clung to the semi-frozen surface to stop being swept away, he noticed dim lights farther out on the lake and, with great determination, managed to reach his all-terrain vehicle. Buffeted by the wind, he drove toward the first of two victims while struggling to maintain control of his vehicle and avoid water holes. Once he had reached the man and taken him to shore, Mr. Brown used a snowmobile to reach the second victim, much farther out, and returned him to safety. Jennifer Clarkson, M.B., Calgary, Alberta Travis Clarkson, M.B., Calgary, Alberta Medal of Bravery On January 28, 2004, Travis Clarkson and his sister Jennifer Clarkson teamed up to assist in the arrest of an armed man following a bank robbery, in Calgary, Alberta. When they witnessed the thief holding up a man at gunpoint and stealing his vehicle, the Clarksons pulled their truck behind the frantic burglar to prevent his escape. The suspect got out of the stolen van and pointed his gun directly at the Clarksons, ordering them to move away. After complying momentarily, they moved back behind him, foiling his plans. The gunman then got out of his vehicle and fired shots in their direction. Despite bullets striking their truck, the Clarksons continued to follow the criminal through the parking lot to block off any possible escape route. Frustrated, the gunman was attempting to flee the scene on foot when the police arrived and apprehended him. Germain Couture, M.B., Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec Medal of Bravery On February 3, 2004, Germain Couture came to the aid of a co-worker following a mine explosion in Preissac, Quebec. Both men were busy loading explosives into blast holes inside the mine, some 200 metres underground, when an explosion occurred. Despite the toxic debris and gas generated by the powerful blast, Mr. Couture did not hesitate to assist his injured co-worker, guiding him towards the only exit and to safety, outside the mine. Joaquim Jorge DaSilva, M.B., Wallaceburg, Ontario Medal of Bravery On December 24, 2003, Jorge DaSilva rescued a woman from drowning in Wallaceburg, Ontario. Mr. DaSilva had just arrived to work when he noticed the woman screaming for help, desperately hanging onto a bridge post in the middle of the nearby Sydenham River. Mr. DaSilva quickly ran over, removed part of his winter clothing and jumped into the freezing water. He swam some six metres to the distressed woman, who was now battling the deep river's strong current. Reaching her side, he grabbed her by her coat and began an exhausting swim back until he could touch the debris-covered bottom. Dragging the victim, he then treaded water, inflicting several bruises and cuts to his hands and feet, until they had safely reached the ice-covered bank. Edward James Forster, M.B., Stayner, Ontario Gerald James Kers, M.B., Stayner, Ontario Andrew James Lowe, M.B., Stayner, Ontario James Edwin Lowe, M.B., Stayner, Ontario Mark Paul McKean, M.B., Stayner, Ontario Robert Keith McKean, M.B., Stayner, Ontario Murray Micks, M.B., Stayner, Ontario Michael William Payne, M.B., Stayner, Ontario Derek Sheard, M.B., Stayner, Ontario Sean Edward Spragg, M.B., Meaford, Ontario Medal of Bravery On December 30, 2002, a team of 10 people rescued a teenager who was trapped under a collapsed wall during renovations being made to a century-old home, in Stayner, Ontario. Although aware of the risk of the two-storey structure completely collapsing, the crew entered the building and using minimal temporary bracing, secured the remaining walls. Through rocks and bricks obstructing their way, they managed to reach the young victim, pinned under a pile of rubble at the bottom of the basement stairs. Using their bare hands and makeshift tools, the team laboured for 40 minutes in the dusty and unsafe environment, removing the concrete piece by piece, to free the severely-injured teenager from his precarious position and to bring him to safety. Daniel John Aron Francis, M.B., Truro, Nova Scotia Medal of Bravery On April 21, 2002, Daniel Francis risked his life to rescue an 11-year-old neighbour from her burning mobile home in Millbrook, Nova Scotia. With his leg in a cast as a result of a fracture, Mr. Francis hobbled over as fast as he could on crutches when he heard his neighbours' scream for help. Undaunted by the thick, acrid smoke and flames licking the kitchen walls and ceiling, he went into the house in an attempt to find the missing girl. He instantly got a lungful of smoke and had to retreat to catch his breath. Without hesitation, he then re-entered the dwelling and crawled along the hallway until he felt the victim's arm. He grabbed the girl and pulled her outside to safety, minutes before the fire completely destroyed the mobile home. Todd David Gittins, M.B., Winnipeg, Manitoba Medal of Bravery On May 19, 2003, Todd Gittins risked his life when he attempted to rescue a man from drowning in the Red River, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Alerted that the victim had jumped from a bridge into the swirling waters, Mr. Gittins raced down to the shoreline to assist. Treading chest-deep water, he reached a dock where he grabbed a floatation device. He then began swimming to catch up to the unconscious victim in the middle of the river. Although hampered by the forceful current, Mr. Gittins managed to grab the man's jacket and swam some 35 metres with him in tow until boaters arrived to haul the victim's limp body inside the small craft. Too exhausted to climb aboard, Mr. Gittins held onto the side and helped push the oar-less boat closer to shore where others had come to help with a rope. Mr. Gittins was then able to swim to safety but, sadly, the victim did not survive the ordeal. Leading Seaman Kevin Duncan Grant, M.B. (Retired), Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.A. Medal of Bravery On November 30, 2001, LS Grant helped an officer evacuate colleagues from a smoke-filled diving chamber after the oxygen lines on one diver's breathing apparatus exploded and caught fire at a research facility in Toronto, Ontario. LS Grant was working in a nearby lab when the accident occurred. Although aware of the explosive potential of the canisters of compressed gas fitted to the burning breathing set, he donned an emergency breathing apparatus and rushed inside the unit. He then cut the sensor cords from the divers and assisted the officer in escorting the victims out of the hatch. Only when he had ascertained that everyone had also made their way out of the dangerous chamber did LS Grant follow them to safety. Serge Landry, M.B. (posthumous), Amqui, Quebec Medal of Bravery On June 14, 2003, Serge Landry lost his life while attempting to rescue a drowning friend during a kayaking trip on the Matapédia River, in Amqui, Quebec. Observing from shore that his friend was in distress after his kayak had capsized in the rapids, Mr. Landry immediately jumped into his own kayak to help him. Upon reaching the victim, he dived into the water and managed to grab hold of him, but then he himself was swept away by the turbulent water. Unfortunately, neither of them was able to overcome the strong current, and both drowned. The decoration will be received by his spouse, Mrs. Gisèle Dubé. Norman Wilson Leppan, M.B., North Bay, Ontario Kathleen Anne Merrylees, M.B., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Denise Edna Sheppard, M.B., Mindemoya, Ontario Medal of Bravery On June 19, 2003, Norman Leppan, Kathleen Merrylees and Denise Sheppard rescued a man trapped inside a burning vehicle, on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. First to arrive on the scene, Mr. Leppan waved down Ms. Sheppard and Ms. Merrylees, who rushed to help the seriously injured driver crushed between the steering wheel and the seat. Undaunted by the flames spreading from the station wagon to surrounding trees, Mr. Leppan cut the seat belt while Ms. Sheppard, kneeling on the front passenger seat, struggled to release it. In the meantime, Ms. Merrylees, who had climbed into the back seat, grabbed the victim under the arms in an effort to pull him towards the passenger side of the vehicle. In spite of the flames coming through the windshield, the trio then managed to pull the victim out of the vehicle and drag him a safe distance away. Mr. Norman Wilson Leppan is unable to attend the ceremony today. Kevin Jabez Reid, M.B., Bishop's Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador Medal of Bravery On May 25, 2003, Kevin Reid attempted to rescue a friend from drowning on Cornfield Lake, near Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador. Realizing that his friend's canoe had tipped some 50 metres from shore, Mr. Reid swam to reach the struggling victim's side. He had managed to pull the man halfway to shore when, exhausted, he too started experiencing trouble and could no longer hold onto his friend. Mr. Reid was taken aboard a small boat by friends who had arrived to help but sadly, the victim could not be rescued and drowned. Leslie Joseph Staniowski, M.B., (posthumous), North Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A. Medal of Bravery On April 1, 2004, Leslie Staniowski lost his life while trying to stop a disgruntled patron from shooting a bartender in a Las Vegas casino, in Nevada, U.S.A. Sitting next to the gunman when the shooting started, Mr. Staniowski attempted, in vain, to disarm him. He then tackled the assailant who was trying to flee and wrestled him to the floor. During the ensuing struggle, Mr. Staniowski sustained a fatal gun shot wound to the chest and the aggressor broke free from his grip. The violent man was finally overpowered and arrested by police. Thanks to Mr. Staniowski's valiant efforts, the bartender survived the vicious attack. The decoration will be received by his spouse, Mrs. Sharon Staniowski. Nadia Vracotas, M.B., St-Laurent, Quebec Medal of Bravery On August 12, 2002, 22-year-old Nadia Vracotas rescued five people from drowning in Corfu, Greece. Ms. Vracotas was at the beach with friends when she heard cries for help, far from shore. She immediately swam through the rough waves and rescued a man and a woman, bringing them back to shore one at a time. She then re-entered the choppy waters, reached two other victims who had also been carried out by the stormy seas and, despite weakening strength, managed to tow each of them back to safety. Although exhausted by her efforts, Ms. Vracotas found the stamina to jump back in when she was alerted that another man was in difficulty. Once again, she fought the strong undertow and reached the unconscious man's side. Struggling to keep his head above the surface, she was able to tow him towards shallow waters, where others had come to help. Brian Nelson Wills, M.B., Rideau Ferry, Ontario Medal of Bravery On August 10, 2002, Brian Wills rescued a six-year-old girl from a family van that had sunk into Rideau Lake after accidentally rolling down a steep embankment and hitting a boat house, near the village of Rideau Ferry, Ontario. Mr. Wills was boating in the area when he witnessed the tragic mishap. Alerted that the child was trapped inside the submerged vehicle, Mr. Wills dove into the cold and murky water to render assistance. Undeterred after a vain attempt to locate the young victim, he dove a second time and entered the van through a broken window. Waving his arms around, he found the girl trapped in a tiny air pocket and pulled her from her precarious position. He then pushed her towards an open window and brought her back to safety.
