Blog Post Four
Photo by Addy Badal
Veterans Affairs Canada – Did You Know?
How VAC Makes Missing Memento Dreams Come True
I knew my grandfather was awarded medals for his service in WWII but he was gone before I was born and, while never having been lost, I have never seen his medals and I wanted to know what he was awarded. So, what’s a granddaughter to do? What I needed was a list of what he was awarded so I requested his service file which should include a document listing Medal Entitlements. I’m still waiting to receive the genealogy package, which you can request from Library and Archives Canada here. I’m impatient so I asked around and tracked down my grandfather’s medals to my cousin, asked for a photo of the medals, I wanted to figure out which ones they are based on the list of medals on Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)’s website here.
This section may appear on a veteran’s documents.
At some point after my grandfather’s passing, the ribbons were no longer attached to the medals. Are my grandfather’s medals forever ruined? No! All you have to do is send VAC an email detailing which medals you need ribbons for and they will provide fresh new ribbons for free[1]. Let’s say the medals were lost entirely, what then? VAC to the rescue! They’ll replace lost medals to next of kin if you fill out an application form. Naturally, replacing medals comes at a cost if you’re not the veteran or their spouse. But, if your application is accepted and you’re willing to cover the cost, you could end up with pristine new medals to preserve a legacy within your family that you can admire for many years and pass down to another relative. I, for one, previously had no idea VAC offered these services and I’m grateful they do because we’re approaching 80 years since the end of WWII and anything may have happened to your veteran’s medals in that time. Do you know where your veteran’s medals are?
[1] Medals and decorations, FAQs, Help, Veterans Affairs Canada, online https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/help/faq/medals-decorations#replace, accessed 23 Oct 2021.