The Vimy Award was created in 1991, and is sponsored by the Canadian Defence Associations Institute. The award is issued annually to "one Canadian who has made a significant and outstanding contribution to the defence and security of our nation and the preservation of our democratic values." This year, the recipient of the award is The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson P.C., C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., the 26th Governor General. Mme. Clarkson served as the Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada for nearly six years.
The former governor general, as a representative of Her Majesty the Queen of Canada for nearly seven years, was responsible for the command-in-chief of the Canadian Forces, and took this role very seriously. The former commander-in-chief regularly visited troops, even making decisions to cut official programs to do so on occasion, and even today continues to play a role in promoting the excellence of members of the Canadian Forces. Today, Mme. Clarkson remains a Commander of the Order of Military Merit, and holds a Canadian Forces Decoration. She is also the Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Mme. Clarkson brought much never-before-seen attention to the role of Commander-in-Chief, and the Canadian Forces recognised this through the first-ever elaborate send-off of a governor general at the end of her term.
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., now the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada, had the pleasure of presenting the award to Mme. Clarkson, and delivered some remarks on the occasion. His Excellency applauded the work that the former governor general had done to promote the Canadian Forces, and to defend Canadian democratic values. His Excellency also applauded Mme. Clarkson's continued involvement in the Canadian Forces as a Colonel-in-Chief, continuing to attend repatriation ceremonies, staying very much a part of the Canadian Forces.
It is irrefutable that Mme. Clarkson raised awareness of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, to levels never before seen in Canada. His Excellency has indicated a wish to focus on this role, as well, and we can only hope that the Canadian Forces are lucky enough to receive the benefits of yet another viceroy who so values the work that they do in the defence of Canadian values at home and abroad. The non-partisan command-in-chief of the Canadian Forces is an absolutely vital role of the Crown in Canada, and it is wonderful to see it recognised as the valuable service that it is.
So, does Mme. Clarkson's service as Commander-in-Chief warrant such an honour?
Is it advantageous for the Commander-in-Chief to be one of the Crown's representatives?
Source
The former governor general, as a representative of Her Majesty the Queen of Canada for nearly seven years, was responsible for the command-in-chief of the Canadian Forces, and took this role very seriously. The former commander-in-chief regularly visited troops, even making decisions to cut official programs to do so on occasion, and even today continues to play a role in promoting the excellence of members of the Canadian Forces. Today, Mme. Clarkson remains a Commander of the Order of Military Merit, and holds a Canadian Forces Decoration. She is also the Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Mme. Clarkson brought much never-before-seen attention to the role of Commander-in-Chief, and the Canadian Forces recognised this through the first-ever elaborate send-off of a governor general at the end of her term.
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., now the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada, had the pleasure of presenting the award to Mme. Clarkson, and delivered some remarks on the occasion. His Excellency applauded the work that the former governor general had done to promote the Canadian Forces, and to defend Canadian democratic values. His Excellency also applauded Mme. Clarkson's continued involvement in the Canadian Forces as a Colonel-in-Chief, continuing to attend repatriation ceremonies, staying very much a part of the Canadian Forces.
It is irrefutable that Mme. Clarkson raised awareness of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, to levels never before seen in Canada. His Excellency has indicated a wish to focus on this role, as well, and we can only hope that the Canadian Forces are lucky enough to receive the benefits of yet another viceroy who so values the work that they do in the defence of Canadian values at home and abroad. The non-partisan command-in-chief of the Canadian Forces is an absolutely vital role of the Crown in Canada, and it is wonderful to see it recognised as the valuable service that it is.
So, does Mme. Clarkson's service as Commander-in-Chief warrant such an honour?
Is it advantageous for the Commander-in-Chief to be one of the Crown's representatives?
Source
- Office of the Governor General: homepage / Presentation of the 2010 Vimy Award
- Canadian Defence Associations Institute: homepage / Vimy Award