With Remembrance Day now behind us for another year, it is perhaps time to talk about changes to wearing medals and decorations. It is interesting to note that it is a criminal offense in Canada to wear another persons medals. This is a law supported by the Royal Canadian Legion and on the surface seems reasonable. However, a lady from Charlottetown wanted to wear her late husbands medals on the right side, at the remembrance day services. She was told not to, it was against the law. Wearing of a deceased persons (example father-brother etc) medals on the right side by relatives is permitted in the UK and Australia. It seems to me its is time for Canada to catch up and change this ridiculous law. The Legion defense of the law is it prevents people parading with medals they are not entitled to. I hardly think that is of major concern these days, and besides a person who does so is only fooling himself. I have more of a problem with the many politicians now wearing medals at these ceremonies. Allow me to give you an example and please bare in mind that most people do not know the difference between actual campaign medals and commemorative decorations such as the Diamond Jubilee Medal. At a recent ceremony we had a politician as a guess speaker. He sported no less than three medals, Oops I mean decorations. He wore the 125 Anniversary Confederation Medal, the Queens Gold Jubilee Medal and the Diamond Jubilee Medal. It seems politicians are always first in line for these awards. The problem here is that many people assume these politicians have actually served in the Military and are veterans. It is very misleading and for me a far more important issue than a widow wearing her late husbands actual campaign medals. We have of course had many politicians in the past who were certainly entitled to the medals they wore, Angus McLean and Dan MacDonald come to mind. However, not many MP’s MLA’s would have a legitimate reason today. Politicians who cover themselves in such glory these days is just another example of the poor quality of the people we elect to run this Great Country. Mind you, we could correct the situation if we got to choose where to pin them, I’m sure that would resolve the issue.!!!!
God Bless and keep reading.
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