July - 2006
Rogers to receive commendationBirchbark Staff
Ray Rogers of Sarnia has been chosen to receive the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation, awarded to Canadians who have contributed to the care and well being of veterans and to the remembrance of their sacrifices and achievements.
Rogers, who is president of the First Nations Veterans of Canada Association, will receive the award in recognition of his work to increase awareness of the contributions made by Aboriginal veterans.
Rogers was a member of the Aboriginal Veterans Working Group that planned the Aboriginal Spiritual Journey and Calling Home Ceremony, held in the fall of 2005 to revisit the European battlefields of the First and Second World Wars and call home the spirits of fallen soldiers. He took part in the journey, sharing his knowledge about the wars and the role Aboriginal soldiers played in them.
Sixty-nine commendations will be given out this year, with three going to Aboriginal veterans. Metis Veteran Ed Borchert from Calgary and Peter Irniq of Iqualuit, who built an inuksuit at the Juno Beach Centre as part of the Aboriginal Spiritual Journey, will also receive commendations.