SUDBURY, ON, Sept. 25, 2017 /CNW/ - Project Honour and Preserve, an international initiative founded by a Greater Sudbury, Ontario man, is making headlines once again as Dr. Kevin McCormick meets with Minister of National Defence, The Honourable Harjit Singh Sajjan, and Marc Serré, MP for Nickel Belt.

Dr. McCormick, President and Vice-Chancellor of Huntington University and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the Irish Regiment of Canada, was in Ottawa earlier today with MP Marc Serré, the project's Champion, to present Minister Sajjan with a Memorial Cross belonging to a soldier who fought in the First World War and whose ultimate sacrifice is immortalized at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France.

"I am honoured to be in the nation's capital this morning to repatriate this incredibly important medal," said Dr. McCormick.  "It is critical that we both honour and preserve the sacrifices and selfless service made by the men and women of the Canadian armed Forces, who through their dedication, ensure the safety, security and freedoms of all Canadians."

"I commend Dr. McCormick for his incredible commitment and his ongoing efforts to raise awareness to the outstanding contributions made by our Canadian Veterans. I am truly honoured to be part of this important project that recognizes and commemorates those who've showed tremendous courage and sacrificed so much to serve and protect our country," said Marc Serré, MP for Nickel Belt.  

Dr. McCormick was named a recipient of the 2016 Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation, in recognition of his ongoing support of the Canadian Military including his commitment to Project Honour and Preserve – an initiative he personally funded conceived in an effort to raise awareness of the sacrifices and contributions made by Canadian Veterans while bringing public attention to important dates in Canadian Military history.

Through Project Honour and Preserve, Dr. McCormick has personally purchased hundreds of historic artifacts which he has donated to groups such as museums, affiliated military units, Veterans' associations, schools and veterans' families. Captured in these collections is the distinguished military service of Canadian Veterans spanning both World Wars, all conflicts and peacekeeping missions, in addition to those awarded by foreign governments for contributions to freedom and humanity.  Other items donated include letters, journals, personal items and trench art belonging to Canadian Veterans who served during many of our Nation's most iconic battles such as Dieppe, Vimy and Somme.

In 2013, in recognition of the 100^th anniversary of the beginning of WW1, Dr. McCormick embarked on an 18-month journey, at his own expense, to make presentations across Canada to museums and Veterans' associations.  Privately and confidentially, Dr. McCormick also repatriated countless items belonging to Veterans and their respective families.  Behind the scenes he has located families and ensured, at no cost to them, that their family member's medals are returned and professionally preserved for future generations to honour.  Since that time, Dr. McCormick has expanded his dedicated efforts, to include repatriating objects that originate from the United States and United Kingdom.

SOURCE Huntington University

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