Meritorious Service Decorations

Major-General Stuart A. Beare, C.M.M., M.S.C., M.S.M., C.D. (Shilo, Manitoba) received the Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division). As the deputy commander of the military police within the NATO Training Mission–Afghanistan from June 2010 to July 2011, Major-General Beare led the largest build-up of police forces in the mission’s history. Working tirelessly with his Afghan counterparts and commanding a diverse, multinational organization, he built a solid foundation for the Afghan National Police and positioned the organization for ongoing success. Major-General Beare’s leadership and strategic vision had a profound and lasting impact on the success of the mission.

Sub-Lieutenant Michèle Claudette Dumaresq-Ouellet, M.S.M., C.D. (Montréal, Quebec) received the Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division). Sub-Lieutenant Dumaresq-Ouellet contributed to the success of operations of HMCS Toronto from 2008 to 2010. She served as senior electronic sensor operator, a position that went beyond the requirements of her rank and qualifications, and demonstrated remarkable innovation in developing new ship-to-shore warfare tactics. Sub-Lieutenant Dumaresq-Ouellet’s leadership and professionalism were essential to the ship’s operational success and brought honour to the Canadian Armed Forces.

General Thomas Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, also spoke during this ceremony.

Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Stephen Spinelli, M.M.M., M.S.M., C.D. (Victoria, British Columbia) received the Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division). As coxswain aboard HMCS Vancouver from July 2011 to January 2012, Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Spinelli contributed to operational success during two consecutive missions in the Mediterranean. A highly visible leader whose influence was felt throughout the ship, he balanced his twin responsibilities of fostering morale, while upholding good order and discipline. Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Spinelli set an example for the ship’s company to emulate, and contributed to their maximum effectiveness during a challenging deployment.

Honorary Captain(N) the Honourable Myra Ava Freeman, C.M., O.N.S., M.S.M. (Halifax, Nova Scotia) received the Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division). Since her appointment in 2003, Honorary Captain(N) Freeman has demonstrated uncompromising loyalty to the Royal Canadian Navy, as well as initiative and leadership in establishing the Halifax-based Community Leadership Advisory Council in 2007. Through her efforts and dedication, she has fostered a tremendous spirit of collaboration between the Navy and the people of Nova Scotia. Her actions have brought great credit to the Canadian Armed Forces, and have promoted a strong sense of pride among the citizenry for the sacrifices and accomplishments of members serving in the Atlantic region.

"I am proud to call myself commander-in-chief, but I find it an even greater honour when I am so named by a member of our Canadian Armed Forces," said His Excellency. "That is because without you, without what you do for our country, day in and day out, there would be no commander-in-chief. And without you and what you have done throughout our history, our very country would not look the same."

The Meritorious Service Decorations are an important part of the Canadian Honours System, which recognizes excellence. Meritorious Service Decorations honour either a single achievement or an activity over a specified period. The Meritorious Service Decorations are open to both Canadians and non-Canadians.

Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Paul Rusk, M.M.M., M.S.M., C.D. (Brampton, Ontario) received the received the Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division). From January 2010 to February 2011, Chief Warrant Officer Rusk excelled as regimental sergeant-major of three organizations. Initially deployed with the Provincial Reconstruction Team, he quickly transitioned to a mentoring role and prepared an infantry kandak for combat, before moving to the NATO Training Mission to help lay the foundation for Afghan National Police development. Whether in the classroom, at headquarters, or on the battlefield, Chief Warrant Officer Rusk distinguished himself as an exceptional soldier and dynamic leader.

Warrant Officer Allan Mark Kendall, M.S.M., C.D. (Collingwood, Ontario) received the Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division). On January 10, 2011, Warrant Officer Kendall rescued a suicidal woman who had wandered out onto thin ice on the Severn River, in Sandy Lake, Ontario. Without regard for his own safety, he went out onto the ice to secure the woman, which allowed his Ranger team to haul them both safely back to shore. Warrant Officer Kendall’s quick thinking brought great credit to the Canadian Rangers and to the Canadian Armed Forces.

Major Joseph Éric Stéphane Briand, M.S.M., C.D. (LaSalle, Quebec) received the Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division). Major Briand commanded a team of mentors deployed to Afghanistan from November 2010 to June 2011, where he distinguished himself by his exceptional strategic acumen. With extraordinary initiative, he professionalized the efforts of the Afghan National Army on several occasions, both while stationed in garrison and in the field. Major Briand’s keen planning sense, resilience and composure contributed greatly to the operational success of the coalition forces.

Lieutenant-General James Terry, M.S.C.(United States Army) received the Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division). Lieutenant-General Terry, of the United States Army, provided exceptional leadership and vision as the commanding general of Regional Command (South) in Afghanistan from November 2010 to October 2011. His support for Canada’s mission and Canadian soldiers on the ground was critical to the Canadian Armed Forces’ operational success. A steadfast ally, Lieutenant-General Terry widely promoted the significance of the Canadian contribution, highlighting its role in bringing stability to Afghanistan and helping maintain the Canadian Armed Forces’ legacy there.

Major Adam Richard Cybanski, M.S.M., C.D. (Kemptville, Ontario) received the Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division). Since 2009, Major Cybanski has demonstrated exceptional dedication to developing innovative flight safety processes. His accomplishments in flight-path reconstruction and visualization have greatly enhanced Canada’s reputation as a leader in the field of flight safety, and will serve the interest of our flight safety program and the aviation communities for years to come. Major Cybanski’s unassailable logic and unmatched expertise have been recognized at the national and international levels, and have brought great honour to the Canadian Armed Forces and to Canada.