February 16, 2007
OTTAWALieutenant-General Andrew Leslie, Chief of the Land Staff, presented the Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division) to General Peter J. Schoomaker on behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, during a private ceremony held in Ottawa yesterday.
The following text is the official citation for General Schoomaker:
General Peter J. Schoomaker, M.S.C.
Washington, D.C., United States of America
Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division)
Since the summer of 2003, General Schoomaker, chief of staff of the United States Army, has provided outstanding support to the Canadian Forces in their efforts to prepare soldiers deploying on the complex mission in Afghanistan. During his mandate, he ensured that Canadians had immediate access to his army's tactical lessons, emerging doctrine and training facilities. His influence has contributed to the safety of Canadian missions, and his unflinching support of the Canada-United States relationship has had a positive impact on both nations.
The Meritorious Service Decorations include a military division and a civil division, with two levels each: a medal and a cross. The military division recognizes individuals for their outstanding professionalism and for bringing honour to the Canadian Forces and to Canada. The civil division recognizes individuals who have performed an exceptional deed or an activity that brought honour to the community or to Canada.
These decorations are an important part of the Canadian honours system, which recognizes excellence. Meritorious Service Decorations honour either a single achievement or an activity over a specified period. The Meritorious Service Decorations are open to both Canadians and non-Canadians. Anyone may nominate an individual for the civil division of the Meritorious Service Decorations, while military candidates are recommended by the chief of the defence staff. Nominations and awards may be made posthumously, but nominations for activities that occurred prior to June 1984, the year in which the honour was first created, are not accepted.
For more information on the Meritorious Service Decorations, please visit our Web site at www.gg.ca.
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Media informationFrédérique Tsaï-KlassenRideau Hall Press Office613‑993-8158
Media Liaison Office National Defence613‑996-2353613‑996-2354
