On the 26th of July, and for a few days beyond, I was helped by many friends and family in the celebration of my 72 birthday. A somewhat more important event took place back at Canada's capital city of Ottawa on that same day.
That was the very day that Mary Simon, 2 years my senior, became "Her Excellency, the Governor General of Canada.
That was the very day that Mary Simon, 2 years my senior, became "Her Excellency, the Governor General of Canada.
Mrs Simon has, for many decades served her county and beyond at the highest levels. Much can be read about this work and her incredible accomplishments on the net.
The Governor General (shown above) was born in Northern Quebec at either one or the other of the two very similarly named locations shown in the map below.
The Governor General (shown above) was born in Northern Quebec at either one or the other of the two very similarly named locations shown in the map below.
Her Excellency became Canada's 30th Governor General since Confederation, and is the very first Governor General coming from Canada's Indigenous community.
In her acceptance speak in the Senate Chamber the Governor General included the remarks that...
In her acceptance speak in the Senate Chamber the Governor General included the remarks that...
After leaving the Senate Chambers her Excellency then went to the Tomb Of the Unknown Soldier and laid flowers honouring Canada's War Dead, received a 21 gun salute and inspected a Guard of honour.
You may have noticed Her Excellency wearing a badge of some sort over her left chest. This is the Order of Canada, the second highest award a civilian can received from the Canadian Government. Here is a better image of the award...
The Order of Canada has five different levels and medals are slightly different in each case. Of the bottom 3 levels the highest is that of a Companion, then comes an Officer and finally those at the Member level.
But above these three is the the Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order. This is awarded to the Governor General. Above these of course is the Sovereign of the medal, the King or Queen.
Shown above is the Order of Canada awarded to the Governor General. Below this is the very medal worn by the last GG, who resigned about 5 months ago under rather interesting circumstances.
Some 39 years ago my mother was awarded the Order of Canada at the member level. At about that time I recall that My father contacted me while living in Nova Scotia, a brother and sister living in Ontario, a sister in Alberta and another sister in BC to join efforts in an exciting project.
We were all asked to share with him the costs of purchasing a gorgeous memorial Order of Canada plate like the one below. We were all thrilled with the idea and the plate is still in the family as a treasured keepsake. A reminder to all of us and those visiting our homes of the pride we all have in our mother's accomplishments over many decades in Canada and abroad resulting her being awarded the Order of Canada. Here is a picture of one of those precious gold trimmed plates...
But above these three is the the Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order. This is awarded to the Governor General. Above these of course is the Sovereign of the medal, the King or Queen.
Shown above is the Order of Canada awarded to the Governor General. Below this is the very medal worn by the last GG, who resigned about 5 months ago under rather interesting circumstances.
Some 39 years ago my mother was awarded the Order of Canada at the member level. At about that time I recall that My father contacted me while living in Nova Scotia, a brother and sister living in Ontario, a sister in Alberta and another sister in BC to join efforts in an exciting project.
We were all asked to share with him the costs of purchasing a gorgeous memorial Order of Canada plate like the one below. We were all thrilled with the idea and the plate is still in the family as a treasured keepsake. A reminder to all of us and those visiting our homes of the pride we all have in our mother's accomplishments over many decades in Canada and abroad resulting her being awarded the Order of Canada. Here is a picture of one of those precious gold trimmed plates...
I shall return on Sunday to continue with this story.
Hope you will join me then,
Bart
Hope you will join me then,
Bart
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