July 7, 2009
OTTAWA—On behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, Mr. Marc Lortie, Ambassador of Canada to France, presented a Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division) to a French citizen whose specific achievements have brought honour to Canada. Colonel Jean-Pierre Duran, of the French Army, received his decoration on Monday,
July 6, 2009, during a ceremony at the Ambassador's official residence in Paris.
Colonel Jean-Pierre Duran’s citation follows. For additional information on the Meritorious Service Decorations, please see Annex A.
Colonel Jean-Pierre Duran, M.S.M. (French Army)
Bry-sur-Marne, France
Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division)
Colonel Duran, then lieutenant-colonel, 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.
-30-
Media information:
Annabelle Cloutier
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-993-2569
www.gg.ca
www.citizensvoices.ca
Department of National Defence Media Liaison Office
1 866 377-0811
613-996-2353
Annex A – MERITORIOUS SERVICE DECORATIONS
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.
