By Michael Blais CD
I CANNOT HELP but feel a profound sense of betrayal by the manner in which Valour-in-the-Presence-of-the-Enemy’s quest has been treated by Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff and his risk-averse advisors at NDHQ. It is perhaps just another symptom of inept leadership: One that fosters the growing disconnect which exists between the current regime, and veterans – particularly Afghanistan veterans – along with supportive civilian elements within the general population.
One could argue that the fight to have Private Jesse LaRochelle’s Medal of Military Valour citation reviewed is a prime example. There is new information, I repeat new information, has now been presented which was not available at the time of LaRochelle’s original nomination. As a consequence, former CDS General Rick Hillier and several senior Afghanistan War commanders, feel that a fault has unintentionally been made in this case.
Had they had prior knowledge of this new information, Private LaRochelle would have been nominated to be the recipient of the Canadian Victoria Cross, not the Medal of Military Valour.
It is important to note that this is not a political issue. The government of the day – Liberals presently, and whoever wins the next election – has no constitutional authority in such matters. A review can only be initiated through a request by the CDS to Canada’s King through the office of the Governor General.
Yet no one is asking the government to intervene. No one is asking parliament to legislate the changes which would provide an exception to the supposedly ‘hard and fast’ five-year deadline which was imple- mented decades ago by a long dead king in the aftermath of the Second World War. I use the term “supposedly” as a legal precedent was established in 1991 when thousands of Korean War veterans were finally honoured with campaign medals after 38 years of their service going unrecognized.
Of course, it would have been nice to see every MP in the House of Commons rally in support of a Conservative MP’s Private Members bill (Just a reminder that it was the Conservatives who were in power when LaRochelle’s original nom- ination was submitted), and an expedient endorsement within the senate to ensure non-partisan support for a review.
But this level of political support, while appreciated, is unnecessary. Protocols remain unchanged and the responsibil- ity for requesting the review is the sole purview of the Canadian military.
The Royal Canadian Regimental motto is “Never pass a Fault”. However, despite
being a Princess Patricia, General Wayne Eyre, the current CDS could have easily resolved this issue. All that was required was a request from Eyre to the Governor General’s office defining the importance of the new information. Eyre would be expressing his support for the review as requested by General Hillier and every Canadian task force commander that we sent to war in Afghanistan.
One would think this to be a ‘no-brainer’. However, the CDS instead responded with a litany of bureaucratic-bullshit-baffling- brains excuses and lame cliches. Instead of correcting the fault, accepting his role and leading the call for a review, CDS Eyre exhibited only intransigence and denial.
Request denied. No respect. And that is the problem with Canada’s current CDS. He appears more concerned about cultural change and diversity-appeasement than military ethos. Instead of honouring a valiant soldier’s sacrifice in a manner that would have imbued this nation with martial pride, stimulated recruitment and demonstrated that Canadians soldiers of all ranks, not just officers, are worthy of the highest levels of award in respect to their national sacrifice. Harrumph! Phap!
How disappointing and rinky dink. Should this decision not be that of the Governor General? Should not Her Excellency be provided with rather than denied, this new information so that she could make an informed choice as to the merit of this case? If Her Excellency’s final word on the subject was ‘no’,then we could tell ourselves we had tried our best. Instead, it appears that we have been betrayed from within. The Governor General will not see new information defining the highest level of valour. That vital information is being suppressed by a CDS who has apparently lost his way.
‘Adapt, overcome, prevail’. It is great to see that General Hillier and VITPE have not given up the fight. They are willing to keep their powder dry until the current CDS has been replaced and perhaps, a new federal government has been elected in Canada. Support for LaRochelle’s VC within the veteran’s community and several major veterans associations remains resolute. But we must remain united. You can help keep the quest for justice for Jesse by spreading the word within your personal sphere of influence and proudly buying and wearing a Jesse#VC t-shirt. I’ve got mine, and hundreds of others do as well.
We will fight until the government appoints a CDS who will not pass the fault, who will place his trust in those who led us into battle during the Afghanistan war and correct the fault by endorsing Pte LaRochelle’s uncommon valour and sending the appropriate request to the Governor General’s office. We will not stop until this new information is presented to her excellency and an informed, not suppressed, decision is rendered.
We will not pass the fault!
“Help right the recognition of our sons and daughters who served us with Valour in the Presence of the Enemy – starting with Jess Larochelle. Buy a t-shirt, wear it proudly and simultaneously help us finance the public campaign to have his incredible deeds reviewed to see if a Victoria Cross is appropriate.”
– General (ret’d) Rick Hillier
