Conference of Defence Associations’ Announces Vimy Award Winner

by J. L. Granatstein

Conference of Defence Associations 
August 24, 2012

24 August 2012. Ottawa. The CDA Institute is pleased to announce that Honorary Colonel Frederick Philip Mannix has been unanimously selected as the recipient of the Vimy Award for 2012. The award will be presented on Friday, November 9, at a mixed gala reception and dinner in the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa.Honorary Colonel Mannix is a distinguished Canadian who has exhibited the highest standards of service to Canada through a lifetime of outstanding philanthropy and work supportive of Canada’s military community.A leading figure in the business world, Frederick Mannix has been a passionate advocate of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Dedicated to enhancing the role of our military at home and abroad, he has lent his vision to the Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute, the University of Calgary’s Centre for Military and Strategic Studies, and the Canadian Forces Liaison Council. He has also helped preserve our rich heritage through his unstinting support of the Museum of the Regiments. Held in high regard, he has worked within his community to assist worthwhile causes through his generosity.

The Vimy Award honours the bravery and sacrifices of the Canadian soldiers who were victorious at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917. Fighting together for the first time, the battle won by the four divisions of the Canadian Corps brought global recognition to the nation’s arms and declared Canada a young nation entitled to a place at the councils of the world.

The CDA Institute is the sponsor of the Vimy Award. Since 1991, the Award recognizes one Canadian who has made a significant and outstanding contribution to the defence and security of our nation and the preservation of our democratic values.

Previous recipients of the Vimy Award include eminent Canadians, from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some of those recipients include the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark (first recipient), Dr. Jack Granatstein, the Rt. Hon. Brian Dickson, Vice-Admiral Larry Murray, the Hon. Barnett Danson, General Paul D. Manson, Dr. David Bercuson, Général Ray Henault, General Rick Hillier, Warrant Officer William MacDonald, the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, and Major-General Jonathan Vance (last year).

The Vimy Award Selection Committee was composed of General (Ret’d) Raymond Henault as Chairman and, as Members, the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, the Hon. David Pratt, Vice-Admiral Bruce Donaldson, Lieutenant-General (Ret) Richard J. Evraire, Dr. John Scott Cowan, Mr. Thomas d’Aquino, Honorary Colonel Blake C. Goldring, Mr. Dennis Roberts, Mr. Dave Spagnolo, Mr. Brian Carter, Mr. Chris MacDonald, and Mr. Paul Chapin.

J.L. Granatstein is a Senior Research Fellow of the Canadian Defence & Foreign Affairs Institute.