Cheryl Gallant sponsors Enduring Spouse Pin

October 05, 2007

“This medal will recognize the work of a Canadian Forces spouse,” says MP

OTTAWA – With the Enduring Spouse Pin, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant is introducing an unofficial decoration to recognize the behind the scenes contributions of military spouses who must stay behind while their husband or wife is deployed overseas. The MP, whose constituency encompasses CFB Petawawa, and who is a member of the Standing Committee on National Defence, says the award is long overdue.

“It is not enough to say ‘thank you’ to the many spouses of Canadian Forces personnel who must keep home and family going while their husband or wife is deployed to distant and hostile locales like Afghanistan,” said Gallant.

“I believe the Enduring Spouse Pin is a way for all of us to demonstrate our appreciation of military spouses, an appreciation of their worries, their solitude and their ultimate support of Canadian Forces deployed operations.

Spouses contribute in so many ways yet are rarely recognized for doing so. They too must sacrifice for the sake of the military and for Canada. It is time that we recognized this contribution and this sacrifice.

Although the Enduring Spouse Pin is not recognized by the Department of National Defence, it is Gallant’s hope that it may some day be so. “An official decoration requires many years to obtain final approval and at some time, this pin may receive official sanction.

But in the meantime, I don’t believe that we can afford to wait to recognize our military spouses. There is too much at stake and their service demands appreciation,” said Gallant.

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For more information, please call Cheryl Gallant, M.P., at (613) 732-4404.