Vet's widow to defy law, vows to wear dead husband's war medals
Michael Platt, QMI Agency
Nov 11, 2013 , Last Updated: 9:05 AM ET
CALGARY -- Repelling the Nazi army from occupied Holland it's not.
But the widow of one of Canada's Second World War heroes -- a soldier who later served as the sergeant-major of Wainwright Military Camp in Alberta -- is fighting a battle of her own in a bid to honour her deceased husband.
"The way I see it, is if my husband could fight the battles he fought, then I can fight this battle," said 82-year-old Madrien Ferris, from her home in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Some will see it as adherence to correct military protocol, others as a ridiculous rule needing a champion like Ferris to demand change.
Either way, the feisty widow wants to shoot down a law which says she can't wear Albert Ferris' service medals as a sign of respect for the late husband, who passed away in 1995.
Unlike Britain and Australia, in Canada it's illegal to wear military decorations you haven't earned, and under Article 419(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
Anyone who "wears a distinctive mark relating to wounds received or service performed in war or a military medal, ribbon, badge, chevron or any decoration or order that is awarded for war services, or any imitation thereof ... is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction."
Albert Ferris, known as the "Smiling Irishman" to his men and comrades, fought to liberate Holland and then went on to serve 30 years with the Canadian forces, including a four-year tour of duty at Wainwright during the 1960s.
He was a career military man who wore his medals with pride, especially on Remembrance Day -- but now, the 10 decorations stay home, unseen.
Ferris says that isn't right.
"My husband died, and I've thought about it a lot -- I don't like these medals just being put away and I want to do something about it," Ferris said.
Vet's widow to defy law, vows to wear dead husband's war medals
Personally I say it all comes down to intent. If the intent is to honour the deceased and not to surreptitiously imply that medals have been bestowed upon someone they have not been, then where is the harm?
Michael Platt, QMI Agency
Nov 11, 2013 , Last Updated: 9:05 AM ET
CALGARY -- Repelling the Nazi army from occupied Holland it's not.
But the widow of one of Canada's Second World War heroes -- a soldier who later served as the sergeant-major of Wainwright Military Camp in Alberta -- is fighting a battle of her own in a bid to honour her deceased husband.
"The way I see it, is if my husband could fight the battles he fought, then I can fight this battle," said 82-year-old Madrien Ferris, from her home in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Some will see it as adherence to correct military protocol, others as a ridiculous rule needing a champion like Ferris to demand change.
Either way, the feisty widow wants to shoot down a law which says she can't wear Albert Ferris' service medals as a sign of respect for the late husband, who passed away in 1995.
Unlike Britain and Australia, in Canada it's illegal to wear military decorations you haven't earned, and under Article 419(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
Anyone who "wears a distinctive mark relating to wounds received or service performed in war or a military medal, ribbon, badge, chevron or any decoration or order that is awarded for war services, or any imitation thereof ... is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction."
Albert Ferris, known as the "Smiling Irishman" to his men and comrades, fought to liberate Holland and then went on to serve 30 years with the Canadian forces, including a four-year tour of duty at Wainwright during the 1960s.
He was a career military man who wore his medals with pride, especially on Remembrance Day -- but now, the 10 decorations stay home, unseen.
Ferris says that isn't right.
"My husband died, and I've thought about it a lot -- I don't like these medals just being put away and I want to do something about it," Ferris said.
Vet's widow to defy law, vows to wear dead husband's war medals
Personally I say it all comes down to intent. If the intent is to honour the deceased and not to surreptitiously imply that medals have been bestowed upon someone they have not been, then where is the harm?
