Departmental Awards

Departmental Awards are intended to recognize deeds or activities beyond the demand of normal duty. They include the CDS Commendation, Minister of Veteran Affairs Commendation and Command Commendations.

CDS Commendation

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) Commendation is awarded by the Chief of the Defence Staff to recognize deeds or activities beyond the demand of normal duty.

Minister of Veteran Affairs Commendation

The Minister of Veteran Affairs Commendation recognizes the diverse scope and range of work performed in contribution to the care and well-being of Veterans, or to the remembrance of the contributions, sacrifices and achievements of Veterans. It is awarded to individuals who have performed commendable service to the Veteran community and/or individuals who represent commendable role models for their fellow Veterans.

Second Lieutenant, Reverend Gordon William Barrett
Reverend Barrett has been an integral part of the military community for more than 30 years. He is the founding Pipe Major of the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own) Irish Pipes and Drums and held that position from 1990 to 2007. In 2007, he was appointed Honourary Captain and Director of Music with the British Columbia Regiment, and was then appointed Honourary Captain and volunteer Chaplain with the 15th Field Regiment Association, Royal Canadian Artillery, in 2009. In his role as Chaplain, Reverend Barrett has offered counsel to reservists and their families on issues ranging from overseas deployment to injuries. Reverend Barrett is a Cadet Instructor’s Cadre Officer with the 2472 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps. He organizes Remembrance Day ceremonies at BC’s head office of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, where he was formerly employed. These events are attended by current employees where special distinction is given to retired CAF staff. Reverend Barrett also assists at other commemorative ceremonies in the community where he has acted as emcee, chaplain and has conducted remembrance services at the George Derby Centre, home to 300 war Veterans.
Major James (Jim) Barrett CD
Mr. Barrett is the Commanding Officer of the 2290 British Columbia Regiment Army Cadet Corps. He has served for more than 30 years as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Reserves. He is currently a member of the Royal Canadian Military Institute and Past President of the Vancouver Garrison Officers’ Society. Over the past decade, he has been responsible for organizing the annual Military Ball in Vancouver, which honours both serving and retired military soldiers, sailors, and aircrew. Mr. Barrett has encouraged support for Veterans by involving cadets in the annual Poppy Day collection drives and in the annual Christmas Bingo events at George Derby Veterans Centre and Shaughnessy Hospital. He has arranged to have the regimental band participate in events, and had the regiment’s historic Second World War truck, limber and howitzer cannon brought for display. Mr. Barrett participated in the B.C. Day 150th year “Salute to our Veterans” celebration in 2008, the George Derby Veterans Centre annual September Celebrations from 2010 to 2012, and in the 2011 and 2012 ceremonies commemorating the Korean War, held in Burnaby Central Park. He also represented the CAF at the Walk for Korean War Veterans and Peace. He is currently a director with the British Columbia Regiment Association.
Lieutenant-General (ret’d) Louis (Lou) Wilhelmus Franciscus Cuppens CMM CD
Mr. Louis Cuppens is a retired Veteran of the Canadian Forces. He enrolled in the Army in 1960 and rose steadily through the ranks until his retirement in 1998 as Deputy-Commander-in-Chief of the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Mr. Cuppens serves as the National President of the Last Post Fund and has served with distinction on the Board of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires. As a member of The Royal Canadian Legion, Mr. Cuppens is chair of their Defence Committee. He is chair of the New Brunswick Aerospace and Defence Association. Mr. Cuppens volunteers at the Saint John Regional Hospital and assists with humanitarian activities at his local parish. A number of other organizations which assist Veterans have benefited from his considerable expertise. Mr. Cuppens’ varied interests and experience contribute greatly to the betterment of Canada’s Veterans.
Honorary Colonel Allan De Genova
Allan De Genova is nominated for contributions to military personnel, first responders, Veterans and their families with Honour House Society. He is the “driving force” behind the establishment of Honour House Society and has been its President for over a decade. Through his tireless work, he secured the support of many organizations and individuals, and his vision came to fruition when Honour House opened its doors in 2010. Honour House Society is a non-profit, charitable organization that seeks to provide a “home away from home” and place to recover for military personnel and first responders while they are receiving medical care or coping with a tragedy. Since opening, Honour House has provided over 10,000 nights of accommodation in a heritage home. Recently, Honour House Society launched Honour Ranch, which will offer access to natural, agricultural and environmental treatments and will have mental health professionals available on site. Scheduled to open in 2020, the 120 acre property in Ashcroft, BC contains ten separate cottages and a main lodge. He has made the opening of Honour Ranch a priority and, despite running a real estate marketing company, has poured “hours, days, and weeks” of his time in support of our Veterans. He also worked to raise the over $1.2 million dollars required to refurbish the largest cenotaph in Greater Vancouver.
Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Donald Graydon Foster
Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Donald Graydon Foster is nominated for his work in commemorating the service of Canadian Veterans and for his support of Veterans’ well-being. For more than 12 years, he has been volunteering his time and his philanthropic fundraising expertise to preserve the memory of Veterans. His efforts to preserve Veterans’ and military heritage is exemplified through the creation, the funding and the promotion of the Juno Beach Centre Legacy of Honour Veteran Video program. He has helped facilitate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the 100th anniversary of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, poster unveilings, book launches and many local initiatives celebrating resident Veterans. On his own initiative, he helped facilitate the creation of the Private Ernest David Harrison Monument in Leuth, Netherlands. The monument is dedicated to Pte Ernest David Harrison’s memory and provides a formal marker for his final resting place. His notable contributions to Veterans’ well-being include coordinating information sessions regarding the Canadian Defense Community Banking Program, hosting 39 Brigade members and their families to movie nights, mess dinners and other activities. He has taken particular interest in helping the few remaining D-Day Veterans in his community. He visits them on a regular basis, ensures they attend commemorative events and ceremonies and has even agreed to help with funeral arrangements.
Lieutenant-Colonel (ret’d) James Hubel CD
Mr. Hubel served in the 7th Toronto Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery, Militia Officers Training School and Land Force Central Area Headquarters for 36 years. He was president of the Royal Canadian Artillery Association and a member of the Advisory Council of the Army Cadet League of Canada. Mr. Hubel was an aide de camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and was appointed deputy chief aide de camp before he retired in 2013. Since retiring, Mr. Hubel volunteers endless hours to many charitable causes, with particular interest in advocating for Veterans at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre. He is a leader of their Wheelchair Escort Program, and a member of both the Veterans Advisory Committee and, until recently, the Comfort Fund. Over the past sixteen years, Mr. Hubel was a key player in the restoration of the Veterans Chapel. He is a member of Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Fort York Branch 165, where he served as the president and is the current Sunnybrook Liaison Officer.
Honorary Colonel George Lynch Staunton CD
Honourary Colonel (Retired) Lynch-Staunton is a Second World War wounded D-Day Veteran and a distinguished Canadian Forces Veteran. He served as Honourary and Senior Aide de Camp to three lieutenant governors of Alberta. Colonel Lynch-Staunton has been involved with and held numerous positions in many military associations such as: past national president and life member of the Royal Canadian Artillery Association; past president and life member of the Edmonton United Services Institution; founding president of the Lethbridge United Services Institute; member of the Cadet Services of Canada; founding delegate of The Army Cadet League of Canada; member of the Navy League of Canada; member of The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL); Past-President of the Alberta Provincial Judges Association, Past Provincial Commissioner for St. John Ambulance Brigade, and member of the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies. Presently, he is Associate Director of the Canada Normandy Project/Juno Beach Centre. Colonel Lynch-Staunton is a recipient of the RCL’s 65-year pin and is a past treasurer of Branch #76.
Gunner (ret’d) Paul Emile Antonio Joseph Métivier
One of the last surviving Veterans of the Great War, Mr. Paul Métivier is an ambassador for Veterans. In addition to his stalwart service to the nation early in the life of the 20th Century, Mr. Métivier raised a family and continued to contribute to the common good of the nation. As a strong advocate of Veterans’ Week and commemorative events, Mr. Métivier has been actively involved in the celebration of Veterans’ accomplishments and in the commemoration of their sacrifice. For the past several years, he has graciously accepted to represent Veterans at commemorative ceremonies, in particular but not exclusively, at events held during Veterans’ Week. Mr. Métivier is consistently sought out by the media, for he is well known in Ottawa for his integrity, humility, intelligence and sense of humour. In 1998, on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the end of the First World war, Mr. Métivier travelled to Vimy, France, where he was presented with the Legion of Honour during a commemorative ceremony. Upon his return to Canada, a certificate of appreciation for his selfless contribution to the war effort, signed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, was presented to him by the Minister of Veterans Affairs. In addition to several pilgrimages and numerous media interviews, Mr. Métivier accepted to attend the ceremony of the repatriation of the remains of The Unknown Soldier from French soil in May 2000. This event was very significant to him as his own pilot son was shot down in Europe during the Second World War. As a knowledgeable voice of the Great War, Mr. Métivier has participated in several foreign documentaries on the Great War, both for film and television. Mr. Métivier provided the producers with an oral account of his personal experience on the Western Front during the First World War. These precious interviews and documentaries are an enduring reminder of those brave Veterans who sacrificed so much for their country. In addition to faithfully attending the annual November 11th ceremony at the National War Memorial, Mr. Métivier has accepted annual invitations from the Canadian War Museum to attend their ceremony on the 11th and to meet the visiting public and respond to questions from Canadians about his role in the First World War. At a 102 years of age, Mr. Métivier continues to fascinate visitors with personal glimpses into his experience.
Warrant Officer (ret’d)Glenn Miller CD
Brigadier-General (ret’d) Donald A Pryer CD
Brigadier-General Donald Pryer joined the Primary Reserve in 1950 and his career over the next 55 years was one of remarkable achievement. He retired as Honorary Colonel of The Queen’s Own Rifles. Mr. Pryer continues to be very active as a member of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Trust Fund and Chairman of the Regimental Senate. In 2004, he represented the Regiment at D-Day ceremonies in France and he was one of the driving forces behind the fundraising for the Juno Beach Centre. Mr. Pryer was one of the founders of Reserve 2000 and he has devoted considerable time and energy advancing the interests of Canada’s reservists. Among his many honours, he is Past President of the Canadian Infantry Association, Past Director of the Royal Canadian Military Institute, Governor of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires (Great Lakes) Division, former Chairman of the Conference of Defence Association and has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 34 years.
Colonel (ret’d) Douglas Walton OMM CD
Colonel Walton is a retired Veteran of the Canadian Forces. Since retiring in 1992, Colonel Walton has dedicated considerable time to the Cadet Corps of Canada, St. John’s Ambulance, the British Columbia Dragoons and its Veterans Associations. In 1993, he became Chairman of the Okanagan Zone of the Army Cadet League of Canada and was responsible for seven Cadet Corps. He commanded the Vernon Army Cadet Camp and Summer Training Centre. In 2001, Colonel Walton became the Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the British Columbia Dragoons and in 2009, he became the Honorary Colonel. Colonel Walton is a life member of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps Association, the Canadian Airborne Forces Association and the Royal Canadian Artillery Association. Colonel Walton is President of an Association of Veterans sponsored by the British Columbia Dragoons and heads the remembrance activities of this Association in Kelowna. He is a regular speaker to youth at schools in Vernon and the primary speaker at the Vernon Remembrance Day service. He is an active member of The Royal Canadian Legion. Colonel Walton is head of the fundraising committee to support non-public funded activities for all members of the British Columbia Dragoons and for financial support to the three Regimental Cadets Corps and the Okanagan Military Museum. He is an advocate of the preservation of military artefacts.

Army Commander’s Commendation

The Army Commander’s Commendation is awarded to recognize deeds or activities beyond the demand of normal duty. Members are recognized for a contribution affecting or reflecting well on the command.

Master Warrant Officer AM Snodgrass

Commander Canadian Expeditionary Force Command Commendation

The Commander Canadian Expeditionary Force Command is awarded to recognize deeds or activities beyond the demand of normal duty. Members are recognized for a contribution affecting or reflecting well on the command.

Warrant Officer Maurice Campbell