Submitted by: Joseph Paquette, MNO Veterans’ Council President
Based on the article from Veterans Affairs Canada:http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/department-officials/minister/commendation/bio/1401
Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs General (retired) Walter
Natynczyk CMM, MSC, CD (left) and MNO Veteran Don Kennedy
CD (right).
Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Veterans’ Council President Joseph Paquette had the honour of accompanying MNO veteran Don Kennedy to a ceremony where he was awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation.
Kennedy is a Major (retired) Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Reserves soldier with over 43 years of service. A dedicated community volunteer and a contributor to many local and national organizations including the MNO Veterans’ Council and the MNO Clear Waters Métis Council, he is a strong advocate for Indigenous people and veterans.
It would be impossible to list all of Kennedy’s achievements but the MNO Veterans’ Council has highlighted a few of the most notable below:
Kennedy was an instrumental figure in organizing the military component for the opening of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.
Kennedy has served as a committee member for numerous Veterans Affairs Canada events, including The Year of the Korean War Veteran and The Year of Korea in 2013.
He was made a Honourary Korean War veteran by the Korean Veterans’ Association (KVA) and was one of the KVA Unit 26 Republic of South Korea (ROK) Memorial Project Committee members, which raised funds to erect Royal Canadian Navy ships at the Korea Monument in Burlington, Ontario.
In 2012, Kennedy served as Chair of the Registration Committee for the Hamilton Light Infantry 150th Anniversary—a three-day event, which included the “Trooping of the Colour” for His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. He was also awarded the Queen’s Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Kennedy received the 31 Canadian Brigade Group Commander’s Commendation in 2006, the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Commanding Officer’s Commendation in 2007, and the Commanding Officer’s Commendation for 2008.
The MNO Veterans’ Council would like to congratulate Don Kennedy on all of his achievements.
Posted: July 14, 2016