September 16, 2012 – Gerry Rideout, Chair of the Newfoundland & Labrador Cross Country Ski Division and President of Menihek Nordic Ski Club was honoured by the Government of Canada for his “Service above Self” on September 12. Rideout was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal at a service at the Legion in Wabush.

Minister Peter Penashue – Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada presented Gerry with this very prestigious recognition award. We would like you to join Cross Country Canada in congratulating Gerry on receiving this honour!

Diamond Jubilee Medal – Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
A new commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60^th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

During the year of celebrations, 60 000 deserving Canadians will be recognized.

The Chancellery of Honours, as part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, administers the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal program.

Design of the medal?

The obverse depicts a crowned image of the Sovereign, in whose name the medal is bestowed. The reverse marks the sixtieth, or diamond, anniversary of the accession to the Throne of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The anniversary is expressed by the central diamond shape, by the background composed of a pattern of diamonds, and by the two dates. The Royal Cypher consists of the Royal Crown above the letters EIIR (i.e., Elizabeth II Regina, the latter word meaning Queen in Latin). The maple leaves refer to Canada, while the motto VIVAT REGINA means “Long live The Queen!”

The ribbon uses a new arrangement of the blue, red and white colours found in the 1953 Coronation Medal, the 1977 Silver Jubilee Medal, and the 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal.