Government of France extends nomination deadline for Légion d'honneur

OTTAWA, May 21, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Erin O'Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs, provided an update today  on the Légion d'honneur Program offered to Canadian Second World War Veterans by the Government of France. The application deadline has now been extended to July 31, 2015.

Veterans Affairs Canada supports this program, which pays tribute to those Canadian Veterans who took part in battles and military operations surrounding the landings and the campaign to liberate France, mainly between June 6 and August 31, 1944.

Veterans Affairs Canada will send a call letter for nominations to Veterans' organizations, requesting their assistance in identifying any Canadian Veterans who might have eligible service. Veterans can also call the National Contact Centre Network, or NCCN, toll free, at 1-866-522-2122 (French: 1-866-522-2022) to request a nomination form that they must complete and send to:

Veterans Affairs Canada
Commemoration Division
66 Slater Street
Ottawa  ON   K1A 0P4

Nominations can be submitted by colleagues, associations and family members, and should include details on previously awarded decorations, history of military service, a small biography, and vital statistics.

All nomination forms must be submitted to Veterans Affairs Canada no later than July 10, 2015.

Quick Facts

• The Légion d'honneur is the highest decoration bestowed by the Republic of France. It is awarded for civilian and military acts that contribute to the defence and prosperity of France.
• More than 600 Canadian Veterans have already received France's Légion d'honneur.
• The President of the Republic of France is the Grand Master of the Order of the Légion d'honneur.
• The Knight of the Légion d'honneur medal is a five-armed cross with a V-shaped cut-out at the end of each arm, generally surmounted by a wreath of laurel leaves.
• The Government of Canada is committed to recognizing Canada's proud military history and the bravery and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform as the country approaches the 150^th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.

Quotes

"Last year, the government of France invited Veterans who liberated their country through the Normandy campaign to receive their country's highest honour, the prestigious Légion d'honneur, which is the highest honour bestowed by France. I am very pleased to announce that after consultation with my office the Government of France has very graciously agreed to extend their deadline for this high honour and I encourage all of those eligible Veterans to apply."
The Honourable Erin O'Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs

Associated Links

• History of the Légion d'honneur – Embassy of France in Ottawa

SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada

Related Links

www.veterans.gc.ca