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My blog entry on the new Victoria Cross has led to interesting responses.  In World War II, the criteria for medals were much tougher than was the case in World War I.  According to Robert Fowler’s excellent book Courage Rewarded, the scale of awards for World War II was much less generous.  For example, while the World War II awards numbered 2,480, the number for World War I was 19,246.

Some of the reasoning was that the battle conditions in World War I were much tougher than were encountered by the mobile forces of World War II. 

Also, the trench warfare of World War I saw mass armies engaged in indescribable conditions.  These conditions, by their nature, led to a higher incidence of courageous acts. 

According to the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site, the number of Victoria Crosses awarded to Canadians in World War I was 70 and the number for World War II was 16.

I had the pleasure this week of writing Calgary Stampeders quarterback Henry Burris to congratulate him for his selection as the 2008 winner of the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy, which is presented by the Canadian Football League to the most outstanding player in the Western Conference.

Jeff Nicklin was going to Kelvin High School in Winnipeg.  We were in the same graduating class and he became a good friend of mine.  He went on to have great success as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and was part of the Winnipeg Grey Cup victories of 1935 and 1939.  He scored a touchdown the first time the West ever beat the East (1935), and in those days was known in Canada’s sports circles as the “best in the west.”

He interrupted his tremendous football career when World War II broke out.  We served together in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and played hockey for the Regiment team.    In 1942, he volunteered for the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion and rose through the ranks to become Commanding Officer.  One of the first to land on D-Day, his leadership earned him a Mention in Despatches, a military award for gallantry.  Tragically, he was killed in action while leading his paratroopers on the drop into the Rhineland on March 24, 1945.

I told his story in The War Amps internationally award-winning documentary Jeff Nicklin: Hero of the Gridiron and the Battlefield, shortly after teaming up with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Association and the CFL to rededicate the trophy during a live TSN broadcast in 2006.

In writing to congratulate Henry Burris, I included a copy of the documentary and noted that the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy will, for all time, stand for courage and honour on the gridiron and on the battlefield.

Tomorrow marks Remembrance Day which, as always, is a busy time for me with the media.  I am always pleased to contribute, with the belief that this Remembrance Day coverage can help to educate Canadians, and particularly young people, about our rich military heritage and the importance of remembering these sacrifices.

I would like to extend my thanks to Professor Gerry Cammy of CFRA Radio for an excellent two-hour show last night.   It is always a pleasure to appear on his annual Remembrance Day Show, which has become something of an Ottawa fixture.

Tomorrow I have been invited to join the Happy Gang on AM 740 Radio in Toronto at 9:20 a.m. for an interview regarding Remembrance Day.  The program will also feature music of the World War I and World War II era.

Later that morning, I will be interviewed by CTV at the National War Memorial at 10:30 am eastern.

Late last week, I was interviewed by Kathleen Harris of Sun Media regarding the last man to fall in World War I.  The article can be seen here.

I was notified recently that two of our War Amps productions have won Gold awards at the 19th Annual GALAXY Film Festival in New York.

WEBMASTERS is a short film describing a dynamic new program we have launched for our Super Champs — children with multiple amputations.  It trains them in the Web development field, with an emphasis on creating Web sites.  The goal is future employment and independence. 

La Vainqueur Camille is a public service message featuring an 18-year-old member of our CHAMP Program who was born a left arm and left leg amputee.  She talks about the importance of perseverance and of adopting a positive attitude, and notes that life does not stop because of an amputation.

As this event receives entries from more than 20 countries, we were delighted to see that our productions stand up with the best from around the world.