Meritorious Service Decorations - Military Division
Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded on: 1995-07-26
Invested on: 1995-09-15
Captain Melanson served as a military chaplain with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda in 1994. Compassionate and caring, he provided spiritual support under extremely stressful conditions. He also helped thousands of displaced children and became a focal point for local Canadian assistance to orphanages. He shared his comrades' difficulties and dangers, once voluntarily returning to forcible detention with others after seeking outside assistance. Throughout, he was a source of inspiration to all.