Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal award

Times Contributor  

 

Countrywide celebrations to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne have touched a local military veteran’s life.

On Nov. 12, at the Stettler Legion, Crowfoot riding MP Kevin Sorenson will present Ron Howard with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Jenny Schumann and Irene Knapp of the Royal Canadian Legion #10 in Strathmore nominated him, and will accompany Howard and his wife Joanna to the ceremony. 

“When I got the letter, I was quite pleased,” said Howard. “It kind of puts the icing on the cake for all the organizations I support. The ripple effect of receiving this medal, by the Governor General for Her Majesty, is that it sends the honour out to all the organizations I belong to. I am just the point man on it.”

Commemorative medals are awarded by the Governor Generals office, to mark special anniversaries or special occasions. They are typically awarded to recognize contributions made by Canadians, for significant contributions and achievement, within a broad spectrum of society.

There are four other commemorative medals created in Canada. They include the Canadian Centennial Medal (1967), the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977), the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal (1992), and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002).  There are 60,000 Diamond Jubilee award medals distributed during 2012 ceremonies, though only thirty are designated for this constituency.

In the past, Howard was awarded the 1967 Canadian Centennial Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.

Howard thinks he was selected due to his military and volunteer contributions.

His military career extends over 54 years.

In 1958, he started as a cadet. In 1963,at the age of 18, he enrolled in the Regular Canadian Army and was posted to Germany in a peace-keeping role. He also served in the Middle East with NATO forces. He left the service in 1975 with a Queens Commission and rank of Second Lieutenant. In 1982, he joined the Army Reserves and continued through to 1984. 

“It was a great experience for me I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. It was an experience that moulded me,” Howard said about his military service.

He currently is a member at large of the Army Cadet League of Canada-Alberta Branch, a member of Branch 10 of the Royal Canadian Legion, a liaison officer for the local 903 Cadet squadron, and a member of the Lord Strathcona’s Royal Horse Brigade serving as their secretary/treasurer. Howard is also a strong advocate for veteran rights.

Howard also encourages people to volunteer, not only in military organizations.  He anticipates his fellow medal recipients will come from all walks of life. Even without the awards, he considers volunteer work fulfilling.

“Give back to the community. It is important not to isolate yourself. There are a lot of things for people to do.” 

As for the new medal, Howard will wear it on his dress uniform, amongst the many medals he has gained over a lifetime.

There are strict rules for the appropriate display of the Governor General medal. The medal can only be worn by the awarded person. It must hang on the person’s left shoulder, in a certain order to other medals. It is to be worn on ceremonial days or special occasions and only with business dress, formal dress attire, or uniforms.

Howard says he will have to have his medals moved over to make a space for the new addition. His decorations include: Special service medal with NATO bar, Canadian Peace keeping medal, United Nations Cypress medal,1967 Canadian Centennial medal, Golden Jubilee medal 2002, the new Diamond Jubilee medal, Canadian Decoration, Army Cadet League of Canada and Air Cadet Service medals and Knight of the Order of Constantine.