Learn moreHonors and awards
1. Legionnaire of the year
2. Meritorious Service Medal
3. Meritorious Service Award
4. Palm Leaf MSM/MSA
5. Life Membership
6. Friendship Award
7. Media Award
8. Certificate of Merit
9. Certificate of appreciation
10. Branch Honorary Patron Award
The LEGIONNAIRE OF THE YEAR (2008) was presented at the last Provincial Convention, held in Granby, to Comrade Isobel Meikle of the Ste-Thérèse Branch.
Therefore, it is now time to start looking around your branch for a deserving candidate who may be the winner for 2009 to be awarded at the Full Council Meeting in May 2010.
IF YOU HAVE A MEMBER WHO IS:
a. An asset to your Branch and the Legion in general;
b. Is available to assist Veterans and their dependants in your area at all times;
c. Volunteers in coordinating Remembrance Day parades, Works over and above the usual: For example: Poppy Campaign, R.C.L. (OC) for the Disabled Inc., etc;
d. Helps out in the Community, be it Little League, Cadet Corps, Senior Citizens, Meals on Wheels, etc.
Bear in mind, Comrades that we have some 20,000 members in this province and surely we have many more than a few who work hard to keep our Branches on an even keel.
Look around and closely observe those who, in the giving of their time and efforts, do so over and above the call of duty.
Perhaps on receipt of this letter, you may find that by posting it (or a copy of it) on the bulletin board in your Branch, someone else may have a potential recipient in mind for the 2009 award.
Remember Comrades that without your support this worthy award cannot continue and it is most IMPORTANT that the members who give so freely of their time in order to help others be given the recognition they so justly deserve.
Attached, for your convenience, you will find an application form to be completed and submitted to Command Office no later than February 26, 2010, to the attention of the Honors & Awards Committee.
Any application sent in Iast year is eligible again this year. Ail you have to do is call the office and inform the Provincial Secretary that you wish to do so. This is not done automatically.
Awaiting your submissions, I remain
Yours in comradeship
Margot Arsenault
Chairperson
Quebec Command H&A Committee
Application form for Legionnaire of the year - here
MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL M.S.M.
This is the highest award that can be granted to Life, Ordinary, Associate or Affiliated Voting Members. Care must be taken to ensure that only the most deserving are recommended for the MSM. Whenever there is doubt that the person being considered merits the MSM, consideration should be given to recommending one of the lesser awards, such as a Life Membership, a Certificate of Merit or a Certificate of Appreciation.
Approval of the MSM is the responsibility of Dominion Command Ritual and Award Committee.
Criteria. Comrades who have the responsibility of recommending a fellow comrade for the MSM must ensure that the person being nominated is indeed worthy of consideration and that all of the accomplishments, including dates, are included in the application. The citation that accompanies the nomination must be based on the activities of the individual and these activities must exceed the standard that is expected of a member.
In order to determine if an individual should be nominated for the MSM those comrades responsible for the nomination must ask themselves the following questions:
a. How long has the member being considered been a member of the Legion?
Explanatory Note: For exemple, a person who has been a member of the Legion for a short period of time, 10 years or less. would not normally be considered suitable for the highest award that can be bestowed on a member. It is certain that awarding the MSM to a person with less than 10 years service can occur but it would be most difficult to justify the award. It is generally consideres that a minimum of five years should have elapsed between the award of a Life Membership and the application for an MSM.
Approval of the MSM is the responsibility of Dominion Command Ritual and Award Committee.
Criteria. Comrades who have the responsibility of recommending a fellow comrade for the MSM must ensure that the person being nominated is indeed worthy of consideration and that all of the accomplishments, including dates, are included in the application. The citation that accompanies the nomination must be based on the activities of the individual and these activities must exceed the standard that is expected of a member.
In order to determine if an individual should be nominated for the MSM those comrades responsible for the nomination must ask themselves the following questions:
a. How long has the member being considered been a member of the Legion?
Explanatory Note: For exemple, a person who has been a member of the Legion for a short period of time, 10 years or less. would not normally be considered suitable for the highest award that can be bestowed on a member. It is certain that awarding the MSM to a person with less than 10 years service can occur but it would be most difficult to justify the award. It is generally consideres that a minimum of five years should have elapsed between the award of a Life Membership and the application for an MSM.
b. What has the member done that makes this person stand out from all of the others be in the branch, a zone, a district or a command?
Explanatory Note: All members are expected to take part in Legion activities. As we gain experience we have an obligation to aspire to taking additional responsibility and acting as mentors for new members. However, holding executive positions does not in itself justify the award of the MSM as once a person assumes a position, the member is expected to perform the duties to the best of their ability.
c. Flowing from the above are specific factors that must be considered when determining if a nomination for the MSM is justified. The question that must be answered is - regardless of the offices held, what are the outstanding services that sets the member apart from all of the others? Exemples of answers to this question could be:
i. three to five years as a Service officer with a track record of demonstrated success in obtaining the appropriate assistance to those in need;
ii. activities on behalf of veterans and their dependants who are disabled or have special needs;
iii obtaining, organizing and distributing hospital comforts and visiting shut ins over a period of years;
iv. taking on the responsibility for Legion drop in centres, meals on wheels, cultural and recreational or similar activities on behalf of the elderly, shut ins or disabled;
v. creating, organizing and implementing youth programs that provide positive experiences for young adults and demonstrate that the Legion is a vital part of the community;
vi. planning, organizing and managing the Poppy Campaign over a period of years;
vii. planning and organizing events or activities to build or upgrade Legion facilities such as branches and housing;
viii. identifying a need in the community or the Legion and taking the action required to fill the need;
ix. acting as the point of contact between the Legion and other community organizations to ensure that efforts are coordinated when a task is too great for one organozation;
x. organizing branch resources to assist the community during a disaster or other pressing need;
Xi contributions of prsonal sacrifice, time or professional expertise that has brought credit to the branch and to the community, or has enhenced the image of the Legion within the community;
Xii as stated above, these are but a few examples of the type of effort that should be considered when recommending a comrade for an MSM.
In short when contemplating these nominations the overriding consideration is - does the service to the Legion so exceed that any other member that it can only be properly recognized by bestowing the MSM?
The nominations must be approved at the Executive or General Meeting of the Branch and prepared using the Dominion Command Form 800281. The following information is to be included on the application form;
a. The membership strength of the Branch must be shown, as service in a small or large community may have an impact;
b. The date and type of meeting where the award was approved;
c. The application must be completed, signed and submitted in accordance with any specific Provincial Command rules respecting honours and awards;
d. The application must be signed by two senior Branch Officers, preferably the President and the Secretary;
e. When completed, the application in the number ofcopies required by the applicable Provincial Command, is to be submitted to that Command;
f. An application from a Zone or District must be approved at a properly constituted meeting of the Zone or District, completed, signed and submitted as noted above.
The Citation. Care must be taken in preparing the citation. It must be remembered that the members of the Dominion Command Ritual and Award Committee have only the citation on which to base decisions. Therefore, complete details, including dates, must be provided of the outstanding services rendered in the Legion and in the community by the member being recommended, since the last award. The age and health of the member being nominated are not a consideration.
The MSM medal lepel badge, plaque, certificate and a distinctive card accompany the award.
The MSM can oly be awarded once regardless of the level.
When considering a comrade for a Palm Leaf, the criteria to be used to evaluate the activities of the comrade are as shown in the criteria of a MSM. Obviously, the activities being considered must be at least equal to or exceed those which earned the comrade the MSM or MSA.
Approval of the Palm Leaf is the responsibility of the Dominion Command Ritual and Awards Committee.
The nominations must be approved at an Executive or General Meeting of the Branch or Ladies Auxiliary (as applicable) and prepared using the Dominion Command Form 800281.
he Citation. Care must be taken in preparing the citation. It must be remembered that the members of the Dominion Command Ritual and Awards Committee have only the citation on which to base decisions. Therefore, complete details, including dates, must be provided of the outstanding services rendered in the Legion and in the community by the member being recommended, since the last award. The age and health of the member being nominated are not a consideration. A copy of the citation for the previously awarded MSM or MSA must accompany the application for the Palm Leaf. For emphasis, the citation for the Palm Leaf must detail the services rendered since the MSM or MSA was received.
The Palm Leaf and plaque constitute the award.
The Palm Leaf can only be awarded once, regardless of level.
Explanatory Note: All members are expected to take part in Legion activities. As we gain experience we have an obligation to aspire to taking additional responsibility and acting as mentors for new members. However, holding executive positions does not in itself justify the award of the MSM as once a person assumes a position, the member is expected to perform the duties to the best of their ability.
c. Flowing from the above are specific factors that must be considered when determining if a nomination for the MSM is justified. The question that must be answered is - regardless of the offices held, what are the outstanding services that sets the member apart from all of the others? Exemples of answers to this question could be:
i. three to five years as a Service officer with a track record of demonstrated success in obtaining the appropriate assistance to those in need;
ii. activities on behalf of veterans and their dependants who are disabled or have special needs;
iii obtaining, organizing and distributing hospital comforts and visiting shut ins over a period of years;
iv. taking on the responsibility for Legion drop in centres, meals on wheels, cultural and recreational or similar activities on behalf of the elderly, shut ins or disabled;
v. creating, organizing and implementing youth programs that provide positive experiences for young adults and demonstrate that the Legion is a vital part of the community;
vi. planning, organizing and managing the Poppy Campaign over a period of years;
vii. planning and organizing events or activities to build or upgrade Legion facilities such as branches and housing;
viii. identifying a need in the community or the Legion and taking the action required to fill the need;
ix. acting as the point of contact between the Legion and other community organizations to ensure that efforts are coordinated when a task is too great for one organozation;
x. organizing branch resources to assist the community during a disaster or other pressing need;
Xi contributions of prsonal sacrifice, time or professional expertise that has brought credit to the branch and to the community, or has enhenced the image of the Legion within the community;
Xii as stated above, these are but a few examples of the type of effort that should be considered when recommending a comrade for an MSM.
In short when contemplating these nominations the overriding consideration is - does the service to the Legion so exceed that any other member that it can only be properly recognized by bestowing the MSM?
The nominations must be approved at the Executive or General Meeting of the Branch and prepared using the Dominion Command Form 800281. The following information is to be included on the application form;
a. The membership strength of the Branch must be shown, as service in a small or large community may have an impact;
b. The date and type of meeting where the award was approved;
c. The application must be completed, signed and submitted in accordance with any specific Provincial Command rules respecting honours and awards;
d. The application must be signed by two senior Branch Officers, preferably the President and the Secretary;
e. When completed, the application in the number ofcopies required by the applicable Provincial Command, is to be submitted to that Command;
f. An application from a Zone or District must be approved at a properly constituted meeting of the Zone or District, completed, signed and submitted as noted above.
The Citation. Care must be taken in preparing the citation. It must be remembered that the members of the Dominion Command Ritual and Award Committee have only the citation on which to base decisions. Therefore, complete details, including dates, must be provided of the outstanding services rendered in the Legion and in the community by the member being recommended, since the last award. The age and health of the member being nominated are not a consideration.
The MSM medal lepel badge, plaque, certificate and a distinctive card accompany the award.
The MSM can oly be awarded once regardless of the level.
Application form for the M.S.M. - here
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MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD (MSA)
This award is granted to eligible members of the Ladies Auxiliary who have rendered outstanding meritorious service to The Royal Canadian Legion. This is the highest award which can be made to a member of the Ladies Auxilary. The criteria used to determine if an MSM is warranted is also used when considering the MSA nominations on behalf of members of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Approval of the Palm Leaf is the responsibility of the Dominion Command Ritual and Awards Committee.
The nominations must be approved at an Executive or General Meeting of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Branch and prepared using the Dominion Command Form 800281.
The Citation. Care must be taken in preparing the citation. It must be remembered that the members of the Dominion Command Ritual and Award Committee have only the citation on which to base decisions. Therefore, complete details, including dates, must be provided of the outstanding services rendered in the Legion and in the community by the member being recommended, since the last award. The age and health of the member being nominated are not a consideration.
The MSA medal lepel badge, plaque, certificate and a distinctive card accompany the award.
The MSA can oly be awarded once regardless of the level.
Approval of the Palm Leaf is the responsibility of the Dominion Command Ritual and Awards Committee.
The nominations must be approved at an Executive or General Meeting of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Branch and prepared using the Dominion Command Form 800281.
The Citation. Care must be taken in preparing the citation. It must be remembered that the members of the Dominion Command Ritual and Award Committee have only the citation on which to base decisions. Therefore, complete details, including dates, must be provided of the outstanding services rendered in the Legion and in the community by the member being recommended, since the last award. The age and health of the member being nominated are not a consideration.
The MSA medal lepel badge, plaque, certificate and a distinctive card accompany the award.
The MSA can oly be awarded once regardless of the level.
When considering a comrade for a Palm Leaf, the criteria to be used to evaluate the activities of the comrade are as shown in the criteria of a MSM. Obviously, the activities being considered must be at least equal to or exceed those which earned the comrade the MSM or MSA.
Approval of the Palm Leaf is the responsibility of the Dominion Command Ritual and Awards Committee.
The nominations must be approved at an Executive or General Meeting of the Branch or Ladies Auxiliary (as applicable) and prepared using the Dominion Command Form 800281.
he Citation. Care must be taken in preparing the citation. It must be remembered that the members of the Dominion Command Ritual and Awards Committee have only the citation on which to base decisions. Therefore, complete details, including dates, must be provided of the outstanding services rendered in the Legion and in the community by the member being recommended, since the last award. The age and health of the member being nominated are not a consideration. A copy of the citation for the previously awarded MSM or MSA must accompany the application for the Palm Leaf. For emphasis, the citation for the Palm Leaf must detail the services rendered since the MSM or MSA was received.
The Palm Leaf and plaque constitute the award.
The Palm Leaf can only be awarded once, regardless of level.
Application form for Palm Leaf to the M.S.M. and M.S.A.- here
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Any Ordinary, Associate or Affiliate Voting member may be awarded a Life Membership for outstanding Legion service after ten years of continuous membership. Rhe Life Membership must be recommended by the comrade's branch and approved by the applicable Provincial Command. The period of membership that must be acheived is 10 consecutive years immediately prior to the date of nomination. The ten years of service does not have to be at the same branch. There is a requirement to pay Dominion Command per capita tax as shown in the table that follows, once proof of age has been established to the satisfaction of the Branch.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Any Ordinary, Associate or Affiliate Voting member may be awarded a Life Membership for outstanding Legion service after ten years of continuous membership. Rhe Life Membership must be recommended by the comrade's branch and approved by the applicable Provincial Command. The period of membership that must be acheived is 10 consecutive years immediately prior to the date of nomination. The ten years of service does not have to be at the same branch. There is a requirement to pay Dominion Command per capita tax as shown in the table that follows, once proof of age has been established to the satisfaction of the Branch.
Per Capita Tax to be paid for Life Membership
59 years of age and under - 15 years per capita tax
60-64 years of age inclusive - 10 years per capita tax
65-69 years of age inclusive - 7 years per capita tax
70 years of age and over - 5 years per capita tax
59 years of age and under - 15 years per capita tax
60-64 years of age inclusive - 10 years per capita tax
65-69 years of age inclusive - 7 years per capita tax
70 years of age and over - 5 years per capita tax
A Life Member of the Legion shall be recognized as a Life Member regardless of the place of residence. Upon transferring from one Branch to another, a Life Member may be required to pay Branch dues, but shall not be required to pay either Dominion or Provincial per capita tax.
The provisions set forth in this section for Life Members ahall not affect the validity of Life Membership granted to members of The Great War Veterans Association of Newfoundland before the said Association ceased to exist. The said members shall be and are Life Members of the Legion.
When a Life Membership is granted, the Branch is recognizing a member's outstanding service and devotion to the Purposes et Objects of the Legion. Therefore, the citation accompanying the application must provide complete details (including dates or spans time) of the outstanding service (which must include service to the Legion and may include service to the community) rendered by the member being recommended for the award.
Provincial Commands are the approving autority for Life Memberships. The Life Membership card and the lapel badge will be issued by Dominion Command. A Life Membership blazer crest, a certificate suitable for framing and plaque are available through the Legion Supply System.
An application for a Life Membership is to be made using the Dominion Command form 800282, and is to be submitted to the applicable Provincial Command. Upon approval the Provincial Command will request the Branch to pay the required amount of per capita tax to Dominion Command.
If a member dies between the time a Life Membership is approved by the Provincial Command ans submission to Dominion Command, no per capita tax is required. A certificate will then be produce to send to the family to remenber the member by.
Note: A branch will not be refunded if a Life Member dies after the per capita tax has been submitted to Dominion Command.
The provisions set forth in this section for Life Members ahall not affect the validity of Life Membership granted to members of The Great War Veterans Association of Newfoundland before the said Association ceased to exist. The said members shall be and are Life Members of the Legion.
When a Life Membership is granted, the Branch is recognizing a member's outstanding service and devotion to the Purposes et Objects of the Legion. Therefore, the citation accompanying the application must provide complete details (including dates or spans time) of the outstanding service (which must include service to the Legion and may include service to the community) rendered by the member being recommended for the award.
Provincial Commands are the approving autority for Life Memberships. The Life Membership card and the lapel badge will be issued by Dominion Command. A Life Membership blazer crest, a certificate suitable for framing and plaque are available through the Legion Supply System.
An application for a Life Membership is to be made using the Dominion Command form 800282, and is to be submitted to the applicable Provincial Command. Upon approval the Provincial Command will request the Branch to pay the required amount of per capita tax to Dominion Command.
If a member dies between the time a Life Membership is approved by the Provincial Command ans submission to Dominion Command, no per capita tax is required. A certificate will then be produce to send to the family to remenber the member by.
Note: A branch will not be refunded if a Life Member dies after the per capita tax has been submitted to Dominion Command.
FRIENDSHIP AWARD
The Friendship Award exist to honour and recognize individuals and organizations who have rendered assistance, service or cooperation to the Legion beyond that which could normally be anticipated or expected.
The award may be bestowed upon other veterans organizations such as the American Legion; organizations, groups and service clubs within the community; and individuals who are members of these organizations.
The award consists of the following:
a. A wall plaque signed by the Dominion President; or
b. A medal and a certificat, signed by the Dominion President, that is suitable for framing.
If the recipient of this award is a veterans organization, or a member of a veterans organization, a congratulatory letter, signed by the Dominion President, is sent to the national headquarters of the organization.
Applications for the award may be originate at the Branch, Provincial Command or Dominion Command level. The approving autority for the Branch applications is the applicable Provincial Command.
The Citation. The information justifying the award must be detailed and precise ensuring that the cooperation, assistance or service provided is fully documented.
Application. Applications for the Friendship Award are to be made on Dominion Command form 800753. Areas of the form that do not apply are to be markes ''not applicable''.
Application form for the Friendship Award - here
MEDIA AWARD
The Media Award exist to recognize the media - newspapers and radio and television stations - that have supported the Legion's work within the community. The award may be presented to media outlets at the Branch, Zone, District and Provincial Command levels.
The approving autority for Branch applications is the applicable Provincial Command.
The Citation. The information justifying the award must be detailed and precise ensuring that the cooperation, assistance or service provided is fully documented.
Applications. Applications for the Mefia Award are to be made on Dominion Command form 800464. Areas of the form that do not apply are to be marked ''not applicable''.
The approving autority for Branch applications is the applicable Provincial Command.
The Citation. The information justifying the award must be detailed and precise ensuring that the cooperation, assistance or service provided is fully documented.
Applications. Applications for the Mefia Award are to be made on Dominion Command form 800464. Areas of the form that do not apply are to be marked ''not applicable''.
A certificat of Merit may be granted to oreganizations, groups or persons outside of the Legion in recognition of service(s) rendered to or on behalf of the Legion. There are three types of these certificats
a. Dominion Level - which are approuved at Dominion Command; applications are initiated at Dominion Command level and are approved by Sub-Executive Committee;
b. Provincial Level - which are approved at Provincial Command;
c. Branch Level - which are approved at Provincial Command.
The circumstances under which business, groups or indivuduals will be considered for this award will vary. It is not possible to provide clear and unambiguous guidelines; however, the action or service that has been performed must equal or surpass those that would be expected of a member who has received a Certificate of Merit.
The Certificat of Merit os obtained through the Legion Supply System,
Branch Level: English - 700133, French - 700159; and
Provincial Command Level: English - 700132, French - 700158
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CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
A certificat of Appreciation may be awarded by any level to individuals, companies, groups, etc. for special services rendered to the Legion. The approving authority is the Branch, Zone, District or Command.
The award is in the form of a certificate which is obtained through the Legion Supply System,
English - 700207, French 700209.
The certificate is suitable for framing.
BRANCH HONORARY PATRON AWARD
Any Branch may honour local dignitaries or community leaders by granting them a Branch Honorary Patron Award. The award is not a form of membership. Persons selected for this award are at the discretion of the Branch. The person receiving the award may enjoy social privileges at the granting branch only. No record of the award is maintained at Dominion Command. Certificates for this award may be ordered through Dominion Command Central Supply.
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