[Newsbot]

Title: Medal rules altered to cover more soldiers
Category: Military
Posted By: Hyack
Date: 2009-10-19 13:54:41
Canadian

[Newfy]

While I don't begrudge anyone in the military getting the recognition they deserve, especially those that are killed. I think that if you start giving out too many medals you are in danger of becoming too much like the Americans who give out medals for almost anything. When I was serving in Northern Ireland I found out that American Military Personnel were awarded a medal just for flying over the country because they classed it as a war zone.

Like I said before the men and women who serve their country are deserving of alot of things we just have to be careful that we don't start handing out medals just for the sake of it.

[EyeBrock]

I don't think this is like the Yank "Gong for crossing the Atlantic" Newfy. They are giving it because you died while on duty and for those wounded in combat.

This comes out of the guys who died in Afghan in vehicle accidents etc. I think a gong going to the family for their sacrifice isn't a bad thing mate.

[Newfy]

Yes but according to the article it will be awarded to those killed whether overseas or not, which to me says, for example, that a soldier driving on exercise in Canada can fall asleep at the wheel crash, die and get a medal for it. As sad and unfortunate as it might be is someone in that situation deserving of the same medal as a soldier who's killed in Afghan?

I know we have just had a similar medal released here in the UK, but it is specifically for those killed on ops.

[EyeBrock]

Mmmm, I'm torn on this one. I think if you die serving your country, your family is at least due a gong.

Maybe they could do a 'bar' or 'leaf' if you are on ops as opposed to getting killed in a traffic accident in BATUS.

Either way a family loses a son or daughter while they were serving Canada. A gong is small comfort on this.

[GreenTiger]

I'd like to see something lkke that in the States.

[Guy_Fawkes]

Dont they have the purple heart in the States?

[-Wario-]

I would like to see to only apply to the strick, while in uniform or operational related.

Not because a young serving kid went too fast on his motorcycle and kills himself.

[Guy_Fawkes]

Im quite sure the CF would not award any medal to a soldier who is off duty.

[-Wario-]

Guy_Fawkes Guy_Fawkes:

Im quite sure the CF would not award any medal to a soldier who is off duty.

I could quote a few

[Guy_Fawkes]

Fire away...

[-Wario-]

I did a search and his name didn't surface..

a young military died in a motorcycle accident, no other vehicule involved.

That kid now has a trophy in his name at his old unit...

[Guy_Fawkes]

You know the difference between a trophy made at your local shop and a CF military medal, right?

[-Wario-]

All the same to me. Trophy withing the military or a medal is still a recognition withing the CF.

[bossdog]

I've been awarded 5 medals. Not once have I ever been issued a weapon during their related duties.