Order of Military Merit Investiture Ceremony

Rideau Hall, Thursday, June 25, 2009

Before we begin today's ceremony, I would like to express the profound sadness that our country felt upon hearing the news that my predecessor, the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc, Governor General of Canada from 1995 to 1999, had passed away.

He was a man known for his simplicity, his serenity and his generosity, who made a point of going out to meet his fellow citizens and trying to understand their realities. He was also a proud ambassador of Acadia and a tireless defender of La Francophonie, both at home and abroad.

We have placed a book of condolence in the entryway, which we invite you to sign.

I would like to ask that we now observe a minute of silence in memory of the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc.

The day you first donned the uniform, you made a selfless commitment.

A commitment of long hours.

A commitment of unselfish effort.

A commitment of tremendous sacrifice.

A commitment of great risk.

You were not satisfied to do only what was asked of you.

You went beyond the task at hand, beyond the obstacle to be overcome, beyond the challenge to be faced, with a true devotion to duty.

And you did so for the good of your unit.

For the success of your mission.

For Canada and the values its defends.

For a more secure, more free, more just, more human world.

This speaks volumes of the depth of your commitment, a commitment for which I have the utmost respect.

Because I know how important it is to you to “make a difference.”

You are the strong links in a long chain. Though each may have his or her own task to perform, you all share the same objective: to defend our interests and support our commitment to promoting peace, security and stability in the world.

Whether assisting populations devastated by natural disasters and humanitarian crises or helping to create a safe environment that encourages development, you have made and continue to make a vital contribution.

To say nothing of the extraordinary work that you do here at home.

In staving off every threat against us, in defending the sovereignty of our territory, airspace and waters, you protect what is most precious to our society, never hesitating to bring relief to your fellow citizens in times of need, including during rescue operations, floods and storms.

It is important to remind Canadians of the value of the service you perform for the common good throughout your careers, and this ceremony gives us the opportunity to do so.

I can see that members of your families have joined you here today, and I would like to take this opportunity to offer them my sincere thanks for their contribution to the success of the Forces and their missions.

I know the kinds of challenges your families must face every day.

They have to support you, no matter what.

And learn to adapt.

And live with the knowledge that you could leave at any moment, that you may even have to put your lives on the line.

For the first time in many years, Canada is having to face the painful reality of war.

I cannot help but think of your comrades who have fallen while serving in Afghanistan; of the families whom I have stood beside on the tarmac; and of the wounded whose lives will never be the same.

Canadians are becoming increasingly aware of the risks to which our military personnel expose themselves.

Many have begun to reflect on Canada’s place in the world and our responsibility toward other peoples, particularly those that have been deprived of their most basic rights.

Your fellow citizens recognize the sacrifices of our soldiers and their families in the performance of this duty to humanity.

Those of you whom we are honouring today have assumed your responsibilities with a level of professionalism and commitment that far exceeds the framework of your duties.

You have helped to maintain the military profession at its highest level of excellence, and we commend you for this.

On behalf of all Canadians, on behalf of everyone here who loves you and supports you, I want you to know how grateful we are and how proud we are of you.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.