A local man recently received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for years of dedicated military service.
Montreal native Michael Daoust, joined the Canadian Forces in 1990 and began a career in the Military Police.
His first posting was in St. Jean ,Quebec, followed by a stint on the security detail at the Canadian embassy in Washington, D.C.
From Washington, he moved to Gagetown, New Brunswick, before taking a teaching post at the military academy at CFB Borden.
He transferred to the military base at Trenton about eight years ago, which is when he and his wife, April, moved to Harriston, purchasing a home there, rather than in the Trenton area, to take advantage of the small town cost of living and lifestyle.
Daoust, who has attained the rank of PO2, (the navy equivalent of sergeant) was nominated for the Jubilee medal by the Military Police Service for his dedication to the military and service as an instructor.
He says he enjoys the military lifestyle and, while he has enjoyed all his postings, found his time in Washington particularly interesting.
Diplomatic experience
“I enjoyed the posting in Washington. It was a different experience and I enjoyed working with the diplomatic community,” he says, noting that he was in the U.S. capital prior to the heightened tensions that followed the terrorist attacks of 9-11.
“There’s no one highlight. I’ve enjoyed providing service to the public, service to the community, through policing,” said Daoust, who received his Jubilee medal at a ceremony in Ottawa on Nov. 14.
