Commemorative Medals for Army Marches
Encyclopedia
The Commemorative Medals for Army Marches are two distinct medals awarded for participating in the two marches organised yearly by the Belgian Army
. They are not decorations, but they may be worn by members of the Belgian Armed Forces
on their uniform during the year following the participation if they request it. For members of the Belgian Army
, participating in the marches counts as operational training.
in the same region. The march is now organised on a yearly basis and also focusses on honouring the towns in the region, regularly changing its course to do so. The march is in four times thirty-two kilometers long in the Ardennes
region of Belgium as well as the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg.
The medal is silver with the imprint of the head of a boar. The ribbon of the medal is dark green with a thin vertical Belgian flag on each border and two thin vertical red lines in the middle.
, in order to honour the tradition of shrimping on horseback on the one hand and to emphasize the scenic attractions of the Westhoek
, the western part of the Belgian coast. Since 1972 it is organised by the Belgian Armed Forces
to strengthen the bond between the Belgian Armed Forces
and society, to commemorate the casualties of both World Wars, particularly those who fell on the battlefields of the Westhoek during the First World War, and to introduce the hikers to the historical and touristic values of the Westhoek. The march is in four times thirty-two kilometers long.
The medal is round or triangular, made in silver or bronze, and showing the imprint of a World War I Belgian soldier, but the shape of the medal can change every five years. The ribbon is dark blue with a large vertical scarlet stripe. Small metal bars are added to the ribbon when the bearer has completed the march more than one time.
Belgian Army
The Land Component is organised using the concept of capacities, whereby units are gathered together according to their function and material. Within this framework, there are five capacities: the command capacity, the combat capacity, the support capacity, the services capacity and the training...
. They are not decorations, but they may be worn by members of the Belgian Armed Forces
Military of Belgium
The Belgian Army is the national military of Belgium. The Belgian Army was established after Belgium became independent in October 1830...
on their uniform during the year following the participation if they request it. For members of the Belgian Army
Belgian Army
The Land Component is organised using the concept of capacities, whereby units are gathered together according to their function and material. Within this framework, there are five capacities: the command capacity, the combat capacity, the support capacity, the services capacity and the training...
, participating in the marches counts as operational training.
Marche Européenne du Souvenir et de l'Amitié (MESA)
The European March of Memory and Friendship is a four-days international march originally organised in 1967 by the 3rd Battalion of Ardennes Hunters in memory of the operations performed by their predecessors at the beginning of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in the same region. The march is now organised on a yearly basis and also focusses on honouring the towns in the region, regularly changing its course to do so. The march is in four times thirty-two kilometers long in the Ardennes
Ardennes
The Ardennes is a region of extensive forests, rolling hills and ridges formed within the Givetian Ardennes mountain range, primarily in Belgium and Luxembourg, but stretching into France , and geologically into the Eifel...
region of Belgium as well as the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg.
The medal is silver with the imprint of the head of a boar. The ribbon of the medal is dark green with a thin vertical Belgian flag on each border and two thin vertical red lines in the middle.
Vier Dagen van de Ijser
The Four Days of the Yser is a four day international march organised since 1967 by the Order of the Horse Fishermen of OostduinkerkeOostduinkerke
Oostduinkerke is a popular seaside resort in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The name Oostduinkerke translates as 'East Dunkirk'. The town originally shared its name with the French city of Dunkirk; therefore, in the 13th century, 'Oost-' was added to its name to avoid confusion with its...
, in order to honour the tradition of shrimping on horseback on the one hand and to emphasize the scenic attractions of the Westhoek
Westhoek (region)
Westhoek or Maritime Flanders is a region in Belgium and France and includes the following areas:#Belgian Westhoek including the West Flanders arrondissements of Diksmuide, Ypres, and Veurne including the cities of Veurne, Poperinge, Wervik, Ypres, De Panne, Langemark-Poelkapelle, and Diksmuide...
, the western part of the Belgian coast. Since 1972 it is organised by the Belgian Armed Forces
Military of Belgium
The Belgian Army is the national military of Belgium. The Belgian Army was established after Belgium became independent in October 1830...
to strengthen the bond between the Belgian Armed Forces
Military of Belgium
The Belgian Army is the national military of Belgium. The Belgian Army was established after Belgium became independent in October 1830...
and society, to commemorate the casualties of both World Wars, particularly those who fell on the battlefields of the Westhoek during the First World War, and to introduce the hikers to the historical and touristic values of the Westhoek. The march is in four times thirty-two kilometers long.
The medal is round or triangular, made in silver or bronze, and showing the imprint of a World War I Belgian soldier, but the shape of the medal can change every five years. The ribbon is dark blue with a large vertical scarlet stripe. Small metal bars are added to the ribbon when the bearer has completed the march more than one time.
See also
- List of Belgian decorations
- List of Belgian military decorations
- Cross for the Four Day MarchesCross for the Four Day MarchesThe Cross for the Four Day Marches is an official Dutch decoration awarded for successful participation in the International Four Days Marches Nijmegen held annually at Nijmegen, Netherlands. The full title of the decoration is the Cross for Marching Proficiency...