January 14, 2009
OTTAWA - Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, announced today the awarding of two Meritorious Service Medals (Military Division), to foreign individuals whose specific achievements have brought honour to Canada: Colonel Steven M. Czepiga from the United States Army and Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-Pierre Duran from the French Army.
The recipients will be invited to receive their decorations at a presentation ceremony at a later date.
The recipients' citations follow. For additional information on the Meritorious Service Decorations, see Annex A.
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Media information
Marie-Paule Thorn
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-993-2569
www.gg.ca / www.citizensvoices.ca
Media Liaison Office
Department of National Defence
613-996-2353 or 1-800-377-0811
Colonel Steven M. Czepiga, M.S.M. (retired) (United States Army)
Nokomis, Florida and West Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division)
From June 2005 to September 2008, Colonel Czepiga has consistently exhibited a high standard of professionalism in the performance of his duties as the U.S. Army attaché in Canada. Working tirelessly to ensure the closest co-operation between Canadian and American armed forces in Afghanistan, he has greatly contributed to the positioning of the Canadian Forces for current operational challenges. His expertise and initiative have brought great honour to the United States Army and to Canada.
Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-Pierre Duran, M.S.M. (French Army)
Bry-sur-Marne, France
Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division)
Lieutenant-Colonel Duran demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism as assistant defence attaché at the Embassy of France, in Ottawa, from 2004 to 2008. His organization of a vast array of commemorative activities for Canadian veterans and military personnel has undeniably reinforced the bonds of friendship between Canada and France.
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.
The Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division) recognizes a military deed or activity that has been performed in an outstandingly professional manner, according to a rare high standard that brings considerable benefit or great honour to the Canadian Forces.
The Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division) recognizes a military deed or activity performed in a highly professional manner, according to a very high standard that brings benefit or honour to the Canadian Forces.
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.
