Canadian Veterans: Owed or Missing Medals

09/14/2026

09/13/2026

Super cool, a second family reached out yesterday that had a family member on Operation Gauntlet, the Spitsbergen raid into Norway in 1941.

When the Arctic star was created they set the criteria at 1 day above the Arctic circle. This would include those who participated in the raid.

It won’t be often you see an Arctic Star in an army grouping from WW2.

Kyle

09/12/2026

Rotation bars on Campaign Stars, Operational Service Medals, and General Service Medals.

Those who have completed more than 210 days of service on missions that fall under the same medal will qualify for a rotation bar.

Each subsequent period of 180 days qualifies you for further bars.

Now, it can get complicated if you had time under separate medals due to what missions you were on. For example, time under the swasm and GCS SWA can not be combined towards bars. Time is counted separately towards each medal.

We have folks who still haven’t heard about this, and others who never will. Such as those we lost overseas who were on their second, or third deployments. Most families and dependents are truly unaware of honours and awards.

I’ve had a lot of bars issued so far for our veterans but there are so many more to find out there yet.

Help get the word out. Tell your buddies or their Next of Kin.

Kyle

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

On this day, which is often swallowed up by grief and sadness, don’t forget to do something positive. Find the good in this world, there is still plenty left.

Thank you all for your service,

Kyle

09/11/2026

Hard to believe it’s been 25 years since that horrific day in New York.

It’s one of those moments that will stick with those of us who were old enough to remember forever , like other historic televised events in history. JFK, Martin Luther King, the moon landing, etc.

I was a young sapper in training and we had been up all night on an urban warfare exercise in Gagetown. We were in a classroom cleaning our weapons and awaiting dismissal for the day as we had been up all night when our course officer came in and formed us up.

He announced that there was an attack in lower manhattan and that it was all gone and we should stand by for further instruction.

We of course thought this was just another training event. About that same time a buddy came back from a dental appointment in base and confirmed it was all over the news.

We couldn’t believe it.

I couldn’t have known then how it would affect me personally and what my future held. But I will always think back to that day and the look of desperation on everyone’s faces trying to flee, and in the days and months, and years ahead of people trying to find their loved ones, only to find out they never will.

Those brave fire fighters, and police officers, paramedics, and other first responders that went into the danger, not knowing what was to come. You are heroes. You will always be heroes and an example to look up to and follow.

May they rest in peace, the victims and families find peace and closure at some point. I truly wish that happens, but know that it may never come.

25 years later. 9/11.

Kyle

09/11/2026

After the Armistice was declared on 27 July, 1953 in Korea, Canada continued to contribute troops to the peninsula until 1955.

The rotations that followed the armistice were only issued the United Nations Medal for Korea up until the 27th July 1954. They were not eligible for the Canadian Korea Medal.

Fast Forward to the 90s and 2000s and these folks were retroactively eligible for the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea as well as the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal.

Many of you have relatives with only the UN Korea medal in your loved one's medal entitlement. I'd love to see us add any medals they are missing.

Go have a look and you never know what we might find.

Kyle

09/11/2026

Canadian Forces have been deploying to Jamaica for decades.

Op Ackee began on June 1,2008 and consists of Canadian forces members helping the JDF build their capacities while helping to combat trans regional crime.

The SSM expedition requires 45 days service to qualify.

Let me know if you need help.

Kyle

09/11/2026

Orders are flying in this week. I started it first thing in the morning. By the end of the day I finished a ton of orders and had just as many come in!

The hardest part of this business is knowing what will come in. Last week I had an order or two all week. This week I have been maxed out. Thankfully, I should be caught up tomorrow.

Another reminder to get your orders in before October 15th to ensure Remembrance Day delivery, as I leave for vacation the week after.

09/10/2026

Did your loved one serve in Bomber Command during WW2 in Northwest Europe?

Air crew, Ground Crew, support staff, if they were posted to the command they may be eligible for the Bomber Command Bar for their Canadian Volunteer Service Medal.

Pop my a pm if you would like to apply.

Kyle