Sheila Gunn Reid @SheilaGunnReid Everytime CBC needed a self described veterans advocate" to bash Harper they trotted out Wayne Johnston. Oops.
One of our friends north of the border send us a heads-up on this fellow, Wayne Johnston, who claims that he is the founder of Wounded Warriors Canada (their Facebook page). Editor note: According to a phone call I just got, Johnston hasn’t been affiliated with Wounded Warrior Canada for more than two years and that he never was a founder of the organization – it was just more of his bloviation with the media.
Since I’m no expert on Canadian awards, our friend sends us an explanation;
1. The Special Service Medal (SSM) was created to recognize members of the Canadian Forces who are taking part in activities and operations under exceptional circumstances. ELIGIBILITY & CRITERIA The Special Service Medal (SSM) recognizes members of the Canadian Forces (CF) who have performed a service determined to be under exceptional circumstances, in a clearly defined locality for a specified duration. The SSM recognizes approved activities underway on 11 June 1984 or subsequently established. This medals is always issued with a bar that specifies the special service being recognized, each bar having its own criteria.
Comment: There is no evidence of Johnston being entitled to this medal nor its attached NATO bar. He has claimed served in Europe as a Casualty Support Officer however, he would be ineligible for the SSM as ALL staff, logistical and administrative support duties as well as training are considered normal military duty and have been excluded from eligibility since 2004. However, he commenced wearing the medal sometime after 15 May 2013.
2. The Queen’s Silver Jubilee medal commemorates the 25th anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second to the throne. National organizations in every important field of endeavor, including the professions, education and arts, veterans’ groups, sports associations, philanthropic and charitable bodies and welfare services were asked to participate in submitting nominations. All members of the Order of Canada, Order of Military Merit and recipients of the Canadian Bravery Decorations received the Queen’s Silver Jubilee medal. This medal is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall. ELIGIBILITY & CRITERIA Selection criterion for members of the Canadian Forces was based on merit, with length of service and prestige of current appointment as secondary consideration. This medal program is now closed.
Comment: There is no evidence of Johnston ever being entitled to this award, in fact he was first observed wearing it after 2011, 34 years after the program had closed!
Our friend is concerned that even though Mr. Johnston apologized yesterday on Facebook, not enough people will be aware of his attempts to inflate his service, so they came to us. I heartily applaud Mr. Johnston’s admission, but then, he shouldn’t have done it in the first place;Comment: There is no evidence of Johnston being entitled to this medal nor its attached NATO bar. He has claimed served in Europe as a Casualty Support Officer however, he would be ineligible for the SSM as ALL staff, logistical and administrative support duties as well as training are considered normal military duty and have been excluded from eligibility since 2004. However, he commenced wearing the medal sometime after 15 May 2013.
2. The Queen’s Silver Jubilee medal commemorates the 25th anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second to the throne. National organizations in every important field of endeavor, including the professions, education and arts, veterans’ groups, sports associations, philanthropic and charitable bodies and welfare services were asked to participate in submitting nominations. All members of the Order of Canada, Order of Military Merit and recipients of the Canadian Bravery Decorations received the Queen’s Silver Jubilee medal. This medal is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall. ELIGIBILITY & CRITERIA Selection criterion for members of the Canadian Forces was based on merit, with length of service and prestige of current appointment as secondary consideration. This medal program is now closed.
Comment: There is no evidence of Johnston ever being entitled to this award, in fact he was first observed wearing it after 2011, 34 years after the program had closed!
UPDATE: Someone called from the frozen north and tells us that Johnston hasn’t been affiliated with Wounded Warrior Canada since 2013 and that he is the one who has been telling the media that he’s a founder of the organization, when in fact, he wasn’t.
Captain Wayne Johnston (retired) phony : This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here
