It is the result of Captain Ashley Collette's deployment to Afghanistan in 2010. 

 

She tells CJLS News she's is honoured.

 

Captain Collette, who grew up in Sandford, was deployed with the Royal Canadian Regiment as a platoon commander. 

 

She served in Afghanistan from May to December 2010. 

 

She was decorated with the Medal of Military Valour by the Governor General at a special ceremony in Ottawa Friday morning.

This is the official medal citation: 

 

Captain Ashley Collette, M.M.V.

Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

Medal of Military Valour

 

As a platoon commander from May to December 2010, Captain Collette demonstrated front line leadership that was critical to her soldiers' success during intense combat in Afghanistan. 

 

Stationed in volatile Nakhonay, her platoon regularly faced the threat posed by improvised explosive devices, all while repelling numerous attacks on their base. 

 

Despite suffering casualties within the group, she kept her soldiers focused and battle-ready; her desire to succeed never wavered. 

 

Captain Collette's fortitude under fire and performance in combat were critical to defeating the enemy and disrupting all insurgent attempts to reoccupy this key village.