- Reaction score
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- Points
- 1,260
This just out from the CF Info-machine - release also attached or downloadable (PDF) here if link doesn't work for you:
As part of Veterans Week 2011, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces (CF), are pleased to announce the official launch of the Memorial Ribbon. Starting today, the Memorial Ribbon will be offered to close family and friends of fallen CF members as a memento of personal loss and sacrifice.
“The introduction of the Memorial Ribbon reflects a Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces desire to provide a small token of remembrance to those closest to our fallen,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “For example, the children of fallen Canadian Forces members, who are not usually designated as potential recipients of the Memorial Cross, will now be able to honour their mothers or fathers by wearing this Ribbon with pride.”
Up to five Memorial Ribbons may be issued in commemoration of every CF member whose death is attributed to injury or disease related to military service, and occurred on or after October 7, 2001.
“We grieve whenever we lose a member of our Canadian Forces family, be it to illness, accident or combat; it is a painful and sad event. We have a duty to recognize and honour our fallen comrades, while also being sensitive to a grieving family's loss,” said General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff. “The Memorial Ribbon is a symbol of remembrance that complements the Memorial Cross. The Ribbon will assist us in better honouring close family members and the children of our fallen while also recognizing the family's sacrifice. We will remember them.”
The Memorial Ribbon will now be part of the Memorial Package, which includes the Memorial Cross, the Memorial Scroll, the Memorial Bar, the Sacrifice Medal, and inscription in the Seventh Book of Remembrance. For those eligible recipients whose beneficiaries have previously received the Memorial Package without the Memorial Ribbon, the ribbons will be sent separately to the executor of the estate upon written request.
The Department of National Defence’s Directorate of Honours and Recognition (DH&R) is the office responsible for administration of the Memorial Ribbon.
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For more information on the design, the eligibility criteria, and to view an image of the new Memorial Ribbon, please consult DH&R’s website at: http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhr-ddhr/chc-tdh/index-eng.asp .