COLONEL JOHN GARDAM LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PRESENTED TO VICE-ADMIRAL RON BUCK, RCN (RET’D), AT THE 2015 CDA/CDA INSTITUTE OTTAWA CONFERENCE ON SECURITY AND DEFENCE FEBRUARY 20, 2015
COLONEL JOHN GARDAM LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PRESENTED TO VICE-ADMIRAL RON BUCK, RCN (RET’D), AT THE 2015 CDA/CDA INSTITUTE OTTAWA CONFERENCE ON SECURITY AND DEFENCE
FEBRUARY 20, 2015
AUDIO FILE: AWARD PRESENTATION
“I commend Vice-Admiral Buck for his devotion to the legacy of the Canadian and Allied Merchant Navies. His dedication to Canadian veterans while serving in the CAF and as a veteran makes him truly deserving of this Award.”
– The Honourable Erin O'Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs.
"It is with great pleasure that I pay tribute to the accomplishments of Vice-Admiral Ronald Douglas Buck CMM, CD (Ret.)." says . "The role played by the veterans of the merchant navy during World War II has often been marginalized. It's thanks to the support of devoted people such as Vice-Admiral Buck, who is and has always been a great supporter of veterans, that their important contribution is remembered and honoured."
– Mr. Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa—Orléans
“The Conference of Defence Associations (CDA) is delighted to see Vice-Admiral Ron Buck, Vice-Chair of the CDA, recognized as the first recipient of the Colonel John Gardam Lifetime Achievement Award by the MNCTP.
“The CDA was established in 1932 to study the problems of security and defence and to promote the efficiency and well-being of Canada’s Armed Forces. It is a non-partisan, independent, and non-profit advocacy organization, representing 52 associations from all parts of the country. It is an honour for us to witness this recognition of VAdm Buck for his outstanding work and support for the Canadian Merchant Navy.”
– LGen Richard Evraire, Chairman of the CDA
“It is an honour and a privilege for me to be here today to recognize the recipient of the Colonel John Gardam Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Vice-Admiral Buck, here at the CDA/CDA Institute 2015 Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence. Both Colonel Gardam and Vice-Admiral Buck have provided leadership roles that were, and continue to be critical to the Mission of the Canadian and Allied Merchant Navies.”
– Stéphane Ouellette, President and CEO, Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP), and Founder/President, Colonel John Gardam Lifetime Achievement Award Institute
OTTAWA, TODAY — Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and CEO, the Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP), was proud to announce the first-time recipient of the Colonel John Gardam Lifetime Achievement Award, that was presented to Vice-Admiral Ron Buck, RCN (Ret’d), at the 2015 CDA/CDA Institute Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence.
The MNCTP created this award to recognize excellence in character, loyalty, and devotion of the highest order in service to Canada, and a long time and enduring commitment to bringing awareness and support to the cause of the Canadian and Allied Merchant Navies.
Throughout his long career of public service, Vice-Admiral Buck (Ret’d) has demonstrated unwavering support to Canada’s veterans, including Canada’s Merchant Navy Veterans. Vice-Admiral Buck supported the Merchant Navy both while serving as the Chief of the Maritime Staff, Vice-Chief of Defence Staff, and more recently, as the President, and now Immediate Past President of the Navy League of Canada.
Of the many displays of support, Vice Admiral Buck ensured that Canada’s Merchant Navy Veterans be included in the official National Battle of the Atlantic ceremonies. In 2003, Vice-Admiral Buck acknowledged the importance and scope of the Merchant Navy initiative, and (in collaboration with MNCTP) established a historical precedent by ushering in a new era of co-operation between the Canadian Merchant Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy.
The Award was presented to Vice-Admiral Buck by Mr. Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa — Orléans, and Chair, House of Commons Committee on Veterans Affairs, and Mr. Stéphane Ouellette.
Vice-Admiral R.D. Buck, CMM, CD, Chief of the Maritime Staff
Ushers in a New Course in History for the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Merchant Navy
December 5, 2003
On December 3, 2003, Vice-Admiral Buck acknowledged the importance and scope of the Merchant Navy initiative spearheaded by Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and CEO, Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP), and established an historical precedent by ushering in a historic era of co-operation between the Canadian and Allied Merchant Navy, the American Merchant Marine, the MNCTP, and the Royal Canadian Navy. For additional information on VAdm Buck, please select: Bio
WHO WAS COLONEL JOHN ALAN GARDAM, QC, OMM, MSM, CD?
The Colonel John Gardam Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates the life of the late Colonel (Ret’d) John Alan Gardam, OC, OMM, MSM, CD, who spent a lifetime serving Canada and Canadian Veterans. He was instrumental in the creation of “The Reconciliation”, Canada’s National Peacekeeping Monument and the addition of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to the National War Memorial.
Colonel Gardam was also a noted author of several books that captured Veterans’ first–hand experiences from the First World War to 1990s Peacekeeping. Among his many accolades, Colonel Gardam was awarded the Order of Canada, by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada in 2012, and was also appointed to the Honourary Board of Governors of the Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP), by Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and CEO, in 2014.
Colonel Gardam, first enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces, Regular Force, as a trooper in the Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) Regiment in 1951. This Award was created to perpetuate his outstanding legacy service to Canada and to peace throughout the world entire. For additional information, please select: Bio
Media Gallery
RECONCILIATION, THE DESIGNING, BUILDING, AND LAUNCHING OF
THE PEACEKEEPING MONUMENT
(OTTAWA, ON, CANADA)
Associated Links
- Reconciliation, The Peacekeeping Monument | Government of Canada |
- Reconciliation, The Peacekeeping Monument | Veterans Affairs Canada |
Other Award Recipients:
Contact Info
Colonel John Gardam Lifetime Achievement Award Institute
Stéphane Ouellette
Founder/President
E-mail: ouellettes@rogers.com
