CIOR officer receives Franceπs highest honour

By Captain Mark Giles

As I made my way to the French ministry building – not far from the Eiffel Tower – I received the odd look from Parisians unfamiliar with my Canadian Forces dress uniform. Walking quickly through the damp streets, I hoped to arrive a few minutes early for the big event – the awarding of the Chevalier of the Legion dπHonneur, Franceπs highest decoration, to a deserving civil servant and officer with the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR).

LCol Jacques Deveze, a French reservist, receives les insignes de Chevalier de la LÈgion dπHonneur, FranÁais highest decoration, from the minister of ecology and sustainable de velopmentin Paris Jan. 17. The honour recognizes his many years of distinguished service to France, including his current role coordinating civil defence between various government ministries. A former chairman of the PfP committee, he continues to work with Canada and other CIOR member countries.

Arriving at the venue, I quickly found him. Obviously pleased, a beaming LCol Jacques Deveze introduced himself before leaving to deal with last-minute preparations. Starting to mingle with a few of the other invited guests, I noted that everyone I met was either a personal friend, family or a work colleague of his. And then I realized what I hadnπt earlier – this event was exclusively for him.

If I wasnπt impressed before, I was now. A long-serving French reservist, LCol Deveze would receive this prestigious honour – for distinguished service in military or civilian life in enhancing the reputation of France – directly from the minister herself. With more than 100 friends, family and professional colleagues gathered to celebrate, it was obviously a moment of pride for him and his family. In his speech, he noted both his civilian and military experiences, and expressed his gratitude for the support of his spouse, family, friends and professional colleagues.

≥Allow me, minister, to take this opportunity to salute my secondary employer ålπEtat-major de lπArmÈe de Terreπ represented (tonight) by officers from the Office of International Relations,≤ said LCol Deveze. ≥My military activities, of which I am as equally passionate as my civil ones, have given me the opportunity to work along side delegations from around the world ää and across the network of reserve officers nationally and with the Interallied Confederation.≤ 

During his career as a civil servant, he served with several French ministries and is currently responsible for coordinating civil defense planning between his department and others at the national level. Although his reserve and CIOR service represent only a part of his many contributions that led to the honour, it is obviously an important part. Whether recognized formally by the French government or informally by the CIOR presidency team and others, it is reserve officers like him that make a difference.

After more than 30 years as a reservist, LCol Deveze is currently ≥semi-retired≤, but waiting for approval to extend his service once again. Hoping to continue with the CIOR in some capacity, he attended the February mid-winter meeting in Brussels.