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Legion of Honour Medal for John

on Tuesday, June 30, 2015

BaptistCare Carey Gardens resident, John Bryson, was celebrated recently when he was awarded the Legion of Honour Medal in an Anzac Day ceremony at the French Embassy in Canberra.

John was bestowed the rank of Chevalier (Knight) in the French Legion for his service in the liberation of France in WWII.

The medal was awarded by the French President, Francois Hollande, and presented by Cedric Pieto, Charge d’Affaires of the French Embassy.

John said he was very pleased to have received the medal.

"I was very proud to receive the French award as recognition of my service. I always remember that there was a lot of us there but a lot did not come back”.

BaptistCare Carey Gardens Chaplain, Howard Warren, said John’s medal added special significance to the centre's annual Anzac Day service.

“Anzac Day is a day of immense gratitude for our servicemen and women, past and present, especially for all of those who considered the Australian values and way of life important enough to make the ultimate sacrifice.”

“Many of our residents are no longer able to make it to an Anzac Day service so they are most grateful that we make the effort to bring Anzac Day to them,” he said.

“This years’ service was particularly memorable given it was the 100th anniversary of Anzac Day and the occasion was marked with both John’s award and two of our residents participating in the service.”

“Robert Schofield, an ex-serviceman, read the poem In Flanders Fields and Doreen Bell, an ex-serviceman’s wife, laid a wreath on behalf of the BaptistCare Carey Garden residents.”

“Fortunately John was able to return to Carey Gardens at the conclusion of the service and proudly show us his much esteemed award."

"I’m sure that this year’s Anzac Day will be one that neither John nor his family will forget.”

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