(The North Saskatchewan Regiment/Facebook)

By Derek Craddock

MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL

LISTEN: Member of North Saskatchewan Regiment honoured for his service to Ukraine

Dec 2, 2021 | 12:00 PM

The Meritorious Service Medal is given to a Canadian citizen either in the civil service or the military whose achievements bring honour to the country.

“It means you did a good job at what you’re supposed to do and brought honour to your country,” said Capt. Ivan Nahachewsky after he was presented with the medal last month.

Nahachewsky is a third-generation Ukrainian, as well as a Chaplin and Greek Catholic Priest.

The medal he received recognized his work while deployed on Operation UNIFIER from October 2019 to April 2020.

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) mission supports the security forces of Ukraine and assists with security force training to help improve and build their capability and capacity.

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“Just by being who I am, my background, who I was, set me up for success,” he said.

“It was always about waving the Canadian flag, letting the Ukrainian people know that Canada is a partner. I guess I was good at that.”

Normally, the celebrations are held at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, with the decorations presented by the Governor-General.

However, due to COVID concerns, the ceremonies were held virtually and while it’s normally a private gathering Nahachewsky’s Regiment was able to take part.

“Because the North Saskatchewan Regiment has this great claim and this great pride and I belong to that too, they said ‘we want to be part of this too’. My commanding officer and the RSM (Regimental Sergeant-Major) were with me and one of my original commanding officers from when I joined and my mother-in-law, my father-in-law and my wife.”

Nahachewsky was humble when recalling the ceremony, saying he was astounded at the achievements of the other medal recipients. About 30 people were recognized in the virtual ceremonies across the country.

“I was in the virtual room with unbelievable people. When they read their stories on why they earned them I said, ‘hold it, I am way out of my league here.'”

While he is proud of his achievements, he said he couldn’t have done it without the guidance of his commanding officer.

“Because I was wholeheartedly doing my mission, it turned out good and so I give the credit for this in a big way to the trust and authority that he gave me.”

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock