A decorated Second World War veteran from Peterborough can add another honour to his distinguished career.
At the Fairhaven Retirement Residence on Sunday, Joseph Sullivan received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.
The award recognizes the “exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country in a wide range of fields.”
The reward for the 97-year-old Sullivan acknowledges the work he has done for more than 50 years helping other veterans to receive recognition for their wartime and post-war contributions.
Sullivan often brings together surviving veterans of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders for reunions to share memories and pay tribute to their fallen comrades-in-arms.
He earned the 2006 Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation for his work in 2005 to coordinate a street-naming project in the Netherlands to name 11 streets in honour of 11 “Glens” killed in action and arranged for veterans and family members to attend.
“I’m overjoyed to have this occasion,” Sullivan told CHEX News after Sunday’s ceremony. “To receive this is a great honour, it’s marvelous.”
The Sovereign’s Medal — presented on behalf of the Governor General of Canada Julie Payette — is meant to honour those who have made “significant, sustained and unpaid contributions to their community in Canada or abroad.”
Sullivan began his military service in 1944 as a member of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders primary reserve infantry as a regiment corporal signaler.
His reserve battalion landed on Normandy Beach on D-Day on June 6, 1945, where he fought on the front line against the Germans in occupied France until the country was liberated.
In 2015, Sullivan received the rank of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour — the highest award from France.