City sailor honoured for "sterling dedication to duty" &JLJ ' • - •- {- - _____ _____ SUBMITTED PHOTO This photo submitted by Catherine and John Thiffault, shows their son, former city resident Jean-Pierre, receiving an award from Governor General Adrienne Clarkson. By Bill Hunt THE INTELLIGENCER A former Belleville lad who lead the Canadian task force for the country's campaign against terror- ism has been awarded a Meritori- ous Service Cross. Jean-Pierre Thiffault moved to Belleville with his family in 1969 and completed his last two years of high school at Moira Secondary School, says his mother, Catherine Thiffault, who resides in Belleville with her husband, John. After graduating from Moira S.S. Thiffault attended Ottawa Univer- sity before joining the navy. He has subsequently served as commander of the Canadian navy ships Halifax, Algonquin and Ville de Quebec. Shortly after Sept. 11, 2001 he was moved to U.S. Central Com- mand headquarters for Operation Enduring Freedom in Tampa, FL, where he conversed regularly with Gen. Tommy Franks as commander of the Canadian Joint Task Force. Thiffault was in command of 2,500 personnel, which is the largest deployment of Canadian Forces since the Korean War. He was recently posted to Ottawa. "Of course we're very proud or it," Catherine said of the citation.. Earlier this week the Governor General announced he was one of five people to received Meritorious Service Decorations for "bringing honour to the Canadian Forces." He has been invited to receive his decoration at a ceremony later this month. The news release from the Gov- ernor General's office reads in part: "Cmdre Thiffault's personal inter ventions with the Coalition's senioi military leadership secured Cana> dian units frontline roles on land, in the air and at sea,which they exe- cuted to the acclaim of Canadians and Coalition partners alike. Throughout his time in command, Cmdre Thiffault set a sterling example of dedication to duty, dili^ gence and concern for the welfare of all members of the task force, bringing considerable benefit and honour to Canada and the Canadi; an Forces."