Being appreciated with a medal

 People surely love medals they can hang around their necks. I noticed that recently while attending an investiture ceremony put on by the Diocese of New Westminster. This Anglican diocese, made up of about 60 parishes and a cathedral, each year asks each church to nominate one member of their congregation for membership in the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster, or ODNW. So for over an hour I heard citations read out that told why each person was receiving the honour: for heading the women’s group, for serving as a member of the altar guild, for directing the choir, for running the youth group, for ringing bells. As they were read out, an enameled medal on a blue and gold ribbon was placed on them by a senior clergy person. Then, medal in place, they had a picture taken with the bishop. Each person seemed pleased as punch.

 I don’t mean to belittle the award. It was a simple gesture for voluntary service to their churches, often for years. Quite a few organizations give out certificates or ribbons or pin, but what really shows appreciation, it seems, is a medal. I was involved, when I worked for the diocese some 20 years ago, in the initiation of the award. We asked a heraldic expert to design it, based on the diocese’s coat of arm, which is based on the original English Westminster’s coat of arms, and he did a good job, I think. It features a cross (of course), a white wave signifying the ocean which New Westminster is near, and a couple of birds. The birds are martlets, which in English heraldry are a mythical birds without feet that never roost – perhaps indicating how tirelessly the recipients worked to receive the award. When I retired the bishop gave me a medal, which I didn’t expect. I’ll admit I was pleased. I can put the initials ODNW after my name, when it’s appropriate, and along with flowers the medal can be placed on my coffin, if my descendants so desire.

 Medals apparently date to the Roman Empire, where soldiers valiant in action received them. The military still go in heavily for medals. My father-in-law had a whole string of them, including one presented by King George VI during the Second World War. He died several years ago, and we’re not quite sure what to do with them. The Canadian Forces has gone heavily into medals. On an Internet page I counted 138, from the highest honour, the Victoria Cross, down to medals for gunmanship. Almost all armies place on their soldiers chests dozens of pieces of medal.

 For civilians, most nations have plenty of medals. The Order of Canada is one. There are three levels: member, which 4,000 people have received; officer, awarded to 2,000; and Companion of the Order, given to 500. They look the same except member has a silver maple leaf; officer, has the same silver leaf with a red circle around it; and companion has a red maple leaf. The fewer people who get a medal, I guess, the more prestigious.

 For an organization, giving out medals, rarely or profusely, seems a good strategy. It doesn’t cost much, it recognizes good work, it inspires loyalty. Almost everyone likes to be recognized for whatever it is they’ve done. Presenting little chunk of medal is one of the best ways to do that, I think.