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Goddard's widower to get Memorial Cross

Last Updated: Friday, May 19, 2006 | 11:26 AM ET

In a Canadian military first, the husband of a soldier killed in Afghanistan this week will receive Canada's Memorial Cross.

The medal, which is given to mothers and wives of fallen Canadian soldiers, will be awarded to Jason Beam by an order-in-council of the federal government, CBC News has learned.

Jason Beam, husband of Capt. Nichola Goddard, will receive a medal traditionally awarded only to wives and mothers.
Jason Beam, husband of Capt. Nichola Goddard, will receive a medal traditionally awarded only to wives and mothers.
(CBC)
Beam's wife, Capt. Nichola Goddard, was the first female Canadian soldier ever killed in combat.

It will be the first time the award has been given to a husband.

Better known as the Silver Cross, the medal was created in 1919 to recognize the sacrifices of widows and mothers of Canadian soldiers who died in action.

The Memorial Cross, also known as the Silver Cross, was created to honour the mothers and widows of fallen Canadian soldiers.
The Memorial Cross, also known as the Silver Cross, was created to honour the mothers and widows of fallen Canadian soldiers.
(CBC)
Beam's award comes as the Department of National Defence considers amending its policy to include fathers and widowers on a more regular basis.

Royal Canadian Legion officials told CBC News Friday that only two men have ever received the medal, both fathers of dead soldiers.

The cross went to Jean Berger, the father of Pte. Joseph Berger, who was killed in Cyprus in 1974, and J.W. Ternopolski, the father of Master Cpl. John Ternopolski, who was killed in Bosnia in 1993. Ternopolski's mother also received the medal.

'Silver Cross mothers' lay Remembrance Day wreaths

Every year, one recipient of the medal is designated the "Silver Cross mother" and lays a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Remembrance Day.

Last year's Silver Cross mother said she felt emotionally isolated from her husband, who watched from the sidelines as she took part in the ceremony. Claire and Richard Léger had asked to be recognized as Silver Cross parents, but were told no.

Their son, Sgt. Marc Léger, was killed by a U.S. bomb near Kandahar in 2002.

"We both raised our son together and [the request] was just justified," said Claire Léger. "It made sense that we both go together."

While the Department of National Defence says fathers and widowers will soon be eligible to receive the medal, the Royal Canadian Legion says there will be no change to the Silver Cross mother designation.

Claire Léger said Thursday that her thoughts go out to Goddard's husband, Jason Beam.

"That poor man, who has to bury his wife," Léger said.

"If this will help him just a little bit, that would be wonderful."

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