CANADA has minted its first Victoria Cross, restoring the distinguished award to the pinnacle of military honours available to its soldiers. A VC has not been given to a Canadian since the end of the Second World War. Its return reminds Canada of its place in the military history of the Commonwealth.
Only 94 Canadians have earned the recognition for uncommon valour "in the face of the enemy." Why it lost favour is perplexing, but it is known that it was left out when a new domestic system of military honours was instituted in the early 1970s. Former prime minister Pierre Trudeau is reported to have said that Canadians ought to receive Canadian honours when asked about the omission. Canada's renown for peacekeeping was taking hold globally; pitched battles and war may have been regarded as anachronistic. In 1987, former prime minister Brian Mulroney thought otherwise, and pledged to return the Victoria Cross as the lead award. Following all-party support in 1993, Parliament received the Queen's support to establish a Canadian VC.
The battles in the Balkans and Afghanistan revealed that sometimes a country is called to fight. The minting of Canada's first home-cast VC indicates the country is mindful of its obligation to show gratitude to uncommon acts in battle of illustrious courage, self-sacrifice or rare devotion to duty. It is a sad but real fact that Canada may find cause yet to present the VC as the armed forces wage war against Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper must be mindful of the purpose for which the cross is cast. Some apparently believe Canada's first VC should commemorate all those who died, unidentified in battle. Canada's Unknown Soldier -- the remains of a man who died not far from Vimy Ridge -- lies at the National War Memorial and next month marks the 90th anniversary of that momentous battle regarded as marking Canada's coming of age as a nation.
Awarding the VC to the Unknown Soldier would be a noble but misguided gesture. The cross is reserved for the documented acts of singular valour by an individual in battle. A few of those who fell, unidentified, on foreign fields may have shown such courage, but certainly not all. Awarding the VC to all such soldiers would be marking history and a collective sacrifice, which is akin to Canada awarding itself. There may be a medal that fits that bill, but it is not the Victoria Cross. It should be reserved for what it was designed to honour -- soldiers whose names should be remembered for the display of strength that only the very few can claim.
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