News Article
Two Local Men Received Medals Recently for their Service in the Canadian Armed Forces
Tara Hagan, The Sarnia Observer
April 20, 2009
Two local men were honoured this week for their service in the Canadian Forces.
Cpl. Tim McNeill and Pte. Ted Partington both received medals at a presentation hosted by the Commissionaires.
"All too often, retired servicemen get the medals which they are entitled to, in the mail," said Murray Quinton, area manager for the Commissionaires Great Lakes.
"It's just not right. So when I found out these guys had medals owed to them, we wanted to do something special."
Sarnia-Lambton MP Pat Davidson was on hand to present the medals, first, to McNeill for his service as a peacekeeper in Rwanda in 1994. The 15-year veteran said the six-month experience wasn't quite like anything else. He received the United Nations Peacekeepers Medal.
"I am so proud, and honoured to receive this medal today," said McNeill. "I was proud to be a peacekeeper in Rwanda."
"A lot of people don't realize the commitment and sacrifice of our soldiers."
Partington, who served in the Canadian Army from 1959 to 1963, received the Canadian Forces Special Service Force Medal for his work under NATO in Germany.
The 71-year-old recalls serving alongside others from France, England and the United States, and watching the Berlin Wall go up.
"This is neat; it really is," said Partington. "It's something I didn't expect. It's been 40 years - a long time coming."
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