Why wear unofficial medals Colonel Ethell?

As noted in my post of November 16, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, His Honour, Colonel (ret) Donald Ethell has been spotted sporting two unofficial medals in his layered group of miniatures. Given that this retired officer has legitimately earned 17 medals (in his mini group) one has to wonder why he has resorted to puffing up his group with two Veterans Association ersatz medals that you purchase for $150.00+ from a company in Denmark. Even the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association website directs its members who purchase these souvenirs NOT to wear or mount them with their official medals. Quote;
“The Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association (CPVA) does not approve nor condemn the purchase and wearing of private commemorative medals and other insignia by its members. However, CPVA members should exercise good judgement regarding the sentimental value of these unofficial commemoratives versus the greater value of the official service decorations which they wear in public. These medals and devices are not recognized by the Government of Canada and are not listed in the official order of precedence. Members are hereby advised that such commemorative devices are to be worn over the right breast only and may not be juxtaposed with official service medals or affixed to the ribbons thereof. Members are further advised to consult the official website of the Governor-General of Canada.
It has been rumoured that Colonel Ethell is soon to be made an honorary Colonel in the CF. I wonder if there is an RSM out there who will be brave enough to confront Ethell on his host of errors in wearing Canadian orders, decorations and medals?

Several readers from Alberta have expressed the view that their Lieutenant Governor just doesn't care about the rules. I have no idea if this is the reality of the situation, however in the New Year the plan is to send this blog out to a few media outlets -- it seems that public attention to the total lack of respect for the regulations governing the wear of Canadian medals is the only tool we have to get this erstwhile Colonel/Lieutenant Governor to follow the rules... rules that he spent a highly successful career in the service of his country following. Sadly Ethell's knowledge and regard for what is proper (in terms of wearing medals) appears to have evaporated in civilian life.

Positive Signs

Since this blog made its debut we have seen a significant improvement in the way some public figures wear their medals. Of course we cannot prove that this improvement is on account of the "Wearing Your Medals Wrong Blog" but with more than 6,000 hits now, it seems likely that at least some offenders have been informed of their newfound notoriety.  In the Vice-Regal report card issued on October 24 the Lieutenant Governors of Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia, along with former Governor General Jean were given less than stellar marks. It is not believed that Mme. Jean has worn her medals since leaving office, but her predecessor Adrienne Clarkson, a long time medal wearing rule offender, was spotted at the Vimy Dinner in Ottawa wearing her medals CORRECTLY!

All is correct.

Continuing on the positive side, Lieutenant Governor Steven Point of British Columbia has greatly improved, and there have been no additional photos of the Lieutenant Governor Mayanne Francis of Nova Scotia wearing one medal on the right and one on the left with her provincial order hung too low (see post of October 9). It seems as though the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta and Major General Richard Rohmer are lost causes. Readers who have ideas of how to get these highly-decorated and accomplished individuals to follow the rules are encouraged to email them in. Perhaps in 2011 will see more public figures following the rules.

Why wear the CC lapel pin?

The Governor General has been spotted "doubling up" on honours by wearing his CMM, medal bar and Order of Canada lapel pin. While this is a relatively minor infraction, it should be dealt with as wearing a Order's lapel pin with other full size or miniature insignia is improper.

A few readers have sent me photos taken on Remembrance Day, I encourage others to do so in advance of a posting on the subject.

Steven Point: Getting it right!

Perfect!

We are very pleased to note that His Honour the Honourable Steven Point seems to have begun wearing his orders, decorations and medals correctly. This is great news and it is hoped that he will continue this trend so that we can let past errors slip into the background.  While Point is not wearing his Golden Jubilee Medal on the Lieutenant Governor's uniform we are more than willing to overlook this very minor error in favour of the fact he has everything else correct in these photos. There are other photos of recent events showing this Lieutenant Governor wearing his medals correctly. Excellent work! If this continues BC will have a Lieutenant Governor who is A+ in the medal wearing department by the New Year. Sadly the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta has continued his assault on the traditions and rules of proper deportment when wearing medals. Soon to be posted, "wonderful" photos taken during Remembrance Day in Toronto.

Alberta Again: It is getting worse

The Honourable Donald Ethell has found yet more ways to wear his orders, decorations and medals incorrectly. In this photo he is wearing his trademark two neck insignia, accompanied by his double rowed miniatures including two unofficial awards, and his Order of St. John breast star. You are not supposed to wear miniatures during the day and it is not a Canadian tradition to layer miniature medals. In addition to this you are not supposed to wear the breast star of the Order of St. John on a business suit (even then it is way too high!). A link to this blog was emailed to the Lieutenant Governors staff, no response as of yet. This is one of the best examples of "How NOT to wear your medals" that Canada has. Even Richard Rohmer has not gone this far.

Steven Point: November's Offender of the Month!

Miniature medals are in the wrong place, just look at the
Aide de Camp to see where they should be worn. 

Every month we select an "Offender of the Month." The first recipient of this ignominious honour was the Honourable Don Ethell, alas even his many errors in wearing orders, decorations and medals have been surpassed by the Honourable Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. It is obvious that Mr. Point is totally clueless when it comes to wearing his medals or a CF uniform for that matter. It would seem that the only solution to this problem is for Mr. Point to cease wearing his medals and to also cease wearing his CF uniform.  I cannot imagine any other member of the Canadian Forces who has found so many ways to wear every order of dress incorrectly. It is embarrassing that a member of the Senior Service continuously flaunts the CFP 265 when in uniform.

Above is a  great example of His Honour wearing mess dress with his various accoutrements as "fashion accessories." First off the dress instructions are clear; miniatures are worn 1 cm below the notch of the lapel, not in the middle of the chest. Point seems to have done this to accommodate his Lieutenant Governor's Badge, which is not approved for wear on any CF uniform. Why didn't the Aide de Camp included in this photo not correct Captain(N) Point? Too caught in the magic of the moment no doubt.

Two neck gongs at a time.

Sadly the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia has also been spotted  following the "two neck gong" fashion. All this in violation of the rule that you are only allowed to wear one neck insignia at a time in civilian attire.

At least in this photo Mr. Point has managed to wear the correct ribbons on each of his neck insignia! It is not even worth speculating on the mystery medal worn on the right side in this photo.

Several readers have flooded me with photos galore, too many to post here. Unfortunately 8 times out of 10 Point is wearing his medals incorrectly. When in CF uniform Captain(N) Point has only managed to get things right 1/10th of the time.

5,000 Hits

Over the past month this blog has received more than 5,000 hits. Although not overwhelmed with emails from readers, there have been some very useful notes, comments and photos.

A few readers have extolled displeasure with the tone and overall message of the blog. Comments such as "just correct the various offenders with a letter or phone call" have been expressed by several people. Long before this blog was even conceptualized I tried that approach; polite simple letters and emails explaining what is wrong and how to correct the situation along with a photo of the problem and a diagram of how to fix it. In a few cases I received replies, but in most there was not even an acknowledgement.

The Hon. Don Ethell. Layering of miniatures is not a Canadian practice.
The last 2 medals Ethell is wearing are unofficial "assocation" awards
and shouldn't be worn with official honours.

One senior officer wrote to offer some very constructive criticism and comment, all which was greatly appreciated. Less helpful notes have accused me of being a self righteous bastard. I find this more amusing than annoying. Rules exist directing us on how to wear our medals, they are not opinions or suggestions offering advice on how an individual “may” decide to wear their medals, they are rules. If Lieutenant Governors, Honorary Colonels, Honorary Captains(N) and brass hats of all types are incapable of wearing their orders, decorations and medals correctly then it only sends the worst sort of signal to the average Canadian. The people featured in this blog have all risen to high position through making important contributions to their province and country. Nevertheless these contributions do not give them a license to “ignore the rules” or to use their medals as fashion accessories. One cannot help but wonder why they feel they are above the rules that the rest of us are subject to.

More BC Follies

At a distance all looks fine, but wait,
what is that he is wearing around his neck?

An observant reader sent this photo of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. All looks fine from a distance, but His Honour is wearing the ribbon of his Order of British Columbia with the neck badge of his Order of St. John. It ceases to amaze me, and many blog followers, the many and sundry ways in which The Honourable Steven Point has managed to wear his orders, decorations, medals and Canadian Forces uniform incorrectly.

The Order of St. John worn with the ribbon of
 the Order of British Columbia

Full size medals with lapel pins?  Where is his OBC?
Mr. Point seems to like the mix and match approach.