November 26, 2009
OTTAWA— On behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, General Walter Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff, presented a Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division) to a New Zealand citizen whose specific achievements have brought honour to Canada.
Colonel Colin P. Richardson, of the New Zealand Army, received his decoration on Wednesday November 25, 2009, during a ceremony in Ottawa. Colonel Richardson’s citation follows. For additional information on the Meritorious Service Decorations, please see Annex A.
Colonel Colin P. Richardson, M.S.M. (New Zealand Army)
Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division)
Colonel Richardson has consistently exhibited a rare standard of professionalism, skill and initiative in his duties as the defence advisor for New Zealand, in Canada, from July 2006 to August 2009. He has worked tirelessly to ensure the closest co-ordination and co-operation between Canadian and New Zealand armed forces in Afghanistan. Under his stewardship, the Canada-New Zealand Exchange Programme has provided an optimal contribution to the Canadian Forces.
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Media information:
Annabelle Cloutier
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-993-2569
acloutier@gg.ca
Department of National Defence Media Liaison Office
1-866-377-0811
613-996-2353
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.
