I find it interesting that people say he made the choice to drink
I don't think it was a choice but a manifestation of his addictions.
Most people who smoke try to to quit at some point and few succeed the first time.
I bring this up because I have experience with it.
So it has taken more than a few tries but it seems like he has finally overcome his problems
I hope so and wish him and his new wife all the best
Another thing that bothers me is the CG's office stripping him of the Order of Canada for something he had little control over(Addictions are an illness and not a choice), while the convicted criminal Conrad Black keeps his Order of Canada
This man has renounced his Canadian citizenship and in the process insulted the country.
"an oppressive little world" I believe is what he called it
and is then convicted on charges of racketeering, obstruction of justice, money laundering and wire fraud a decade later.
He should have been stripped of his OC when he insulted the country but he still has it
It also bothers me that MADD has waded in on this
Yes he was driving drunk
Yes he was convicted of driving drunk
He is working hard to reform and overcome his addictions and hopefully has
Gordon Campbell gets hosed and drives in Hawaii
MADD says its OK, he apologized and feels sorry
Yet this same group supports stripping Steve of his Order
Anyhow in closing just a personal message to Steve
You are still a Canadian hero to us
Best of Luck in your future
Margaret Olson - 14 years ago
Steve did a good thing and was recognized for it. Just because he 'slips' doesn't mean that medal should be taken away. He's had some tough breaks in life. Give him a break! Most of us wouldn't have even tried what he did.
Marg
Lisa G. - 14 years ago
If any of you are interested in Steve at al it is coming up on his 25th Aniversery of his run that he completed and I'm sure he'd appreciate it if any of you out there could remember this May for what he did. Not what he's doing now.
His soon to be wife
]Lisa G
David W. Morrow - 14 years ago
Re: “Faulting Fonyo” and “Fonyo still a Canadian hero – warts and all,” Jan. 26 (Calgary Herald).
The cited articles expressed opposing viewpoints concerning the recent forfeiture of Mr. Steve Fonyo’s Order of Canada. Mr. Fonyo apparently has committed a number of regrettable offences which resulted in forfeiture of the award.
All awards are given in recognition of some action or activity that society deems meritorious and that rise above what might be considered societal norms of individual commitment to these selfsame actions or activities. Arguably, the purest and most non-political award of the western world is the Victoria Cross, awarded for valour in the face of the enemy and still awarded separately in most commonwealth countries. It is almost the only award given specifically for a single action of extreme bravery in the face of the enemy (many are awarded posthumously). The original Royal Warrant for the Victoria Cross allowed for the award’s forfeiture if the awardee indulged in discreditable post-award activities, much like those of the unfortunate Mr. Fonyo. This feature has remained unchanged and the possibility remains that any Victoria Cross recipient could be stripped of their medal (we would have to consult at the pearly gates concerning the posthumous conduct of many recipients to see if they have misbehaved themselves!).
However, in 1920, King George V expressed the opinion that no crime committed by any holder of the VC can justify forfeiture of their VC, even if sentenced to be hanged for murder! The King’s opinion held, and since that time no VC has ever been forfeited for any cause. In this judgement, I am the King’s man and I support the opinion offered by Mr. Ian Mulgrew. If the Order of Canada is truly a significant award it cannot be revoked and Mr Fonyo should be permitted to retain and wear it just as he “wears” the consequences of his otherwise anti-social activities. If the Order of Canada truly represents “an ideal” then it follows it can never truly be revoked once awarded!
Lisa Greenwood - 14 years ago
Hi there
As Steve's soon to be wife he has asked me to give thanks for everyone that is supporting him threw this and I would just like to say to those who don't: WHY DON'T YOU GO OUT AND RAISE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE???
thanks again for your support
jonikas - 14 years ago
I don't think that it's fair to strip him of his HUGE accomplishment that he earned so long ago. Steve Fonyo raised money and worldwide awareness for cancer which has no doubt touched all of our lives, families and friends in some manner. If Rick Hanson suffered from depression and began to mess up his life would we all turn our backs on him too? I think not. We take better care of our bronzed Canadian monuments that the mental health of our heros, be it from war, injury, addictions or demons.
I love Terry Fox,, but who's to say what types of demons he may have battled with and how his life would've gone after so many years?? I myself live with a disability and I tell ya,, it can do weird things to you. You feel like less of a person, less of a spouse/mother/father, less of a contribution to society ~ it can mess with your head and your self worth, and I believe this is what's happened to Steve Fonyo.
I know, I know,, he was never the clean-cut poster boy like Terry Fox but he did an amazinglu unselfish thing for cancer research and awarness and he shouldn't be stripped of his deserved award due to personal problems or demons.
I think he needs a big hug, some understanding, and counselling to get his life back on track. Like the Bible says,, "let he without sin cast the first stone". We're only human, and disabilities can mess with your self-esteem and could possibly put all of us on a road we'd rather not be on. Play nice, folks.
Ron A - 14 years ago
Only in Canada!!!! Steve earned it and should never be stripped of it. e.g.If I get a metal in battle is that wiped out if I screw up later in life???? I think not.
MurrayDavid Collins - 14 years ago
Having been a radio announcer for 35 years (now retired) I remember to this day Steve Fonyo's contribution to the walk across Canada for cance research.
As I recall Terry Fox's bid failed somewhere in Ontario and not shortly after that entered Steve Fonyo to pick up the pieces (or might we say to capatalize on a situation for hisown glorification)??????
Yep I am starting to see the light.
Don't know who's idea it was to strip Steve of his order but seriously he is an ambassarment to people that honestly want to raise money for a cause.
Oh let's forget the many drunken driving charges and failure to appears in court.A mark of a true Canadian and someone we can look up too? I think "NOT"
Grant Lawson - 14 years ago
He might have done good in the past but it has been overwritten by all the bad! He is not a good example to our youth as it paints the picture that even though you can break the law its ok to be put on a pedistal.
Amanda - 14 years ago
I think that this man did good and it is not fair that this is being taken away because of a future mistake. It does not erase the good he did in the past. Our wonderful Gordon Campbell made a mistake drinking and driving and I did not see him being stripped of anything. It is just a thought to ponder........
Val - 14 years ago
I was split on my opinion and had to vote it is complicated because he did help raise funds but more importantly greater awareness of cancer. However, as a recipient of the Order he must have been advised at some point that the award had standards that they had to adhere to. If he had been serious about seeking and mainting help with his addictions then I would say he should keep it but after so many convictions it does not appear that he was serious about helping himself. I know certain issues/crimes would I would say take it away, antisemitism, murder, abuse of others, to name a few... but ....
mike burns - 14 years ago
Some people should never drink, he just happens to be one of them.
Doug Hathaway - 14 years ago
How is it that someone/body is empowered to remove ones accomplishment and acknowledgement of something awarded many years ago?
Regardless of what subsequently takes place in ones life I do not feel that the present overrules the past deed that was rewarded. I do not approve of Mr. Fonyo's recent actions, however, what he did some twenty odd years ago should not be diminished. He was properly awarded at the time.
Barb D. - 14 years ago
I did follow Steve Fonyo when he ran across Canada. If the disease meant so much to him, to raise money and be the icon he was, then why not continue doing good for the others suffering with this disease. Instead, he chose to give himself the bad boy image and not show any care at all.
Steve F. should be ashamed of himself.
doug - 14 years ago
what has he done lately, Gail? i figured he was pretty much off the radar screen - and i don't mean by not flying helicopters. the Order was given in 1985 so again, why now? is he gaining anything by having it? where do you put that on your resume?
Barb D. - 14 years ago
I did follow Steve Fonyo when he ran across Canada. If the disease meant so much to him, to raise money and be the icon he was, then why not continue doing good for the others suffering with this disease. Instead, he chose to give himself the bad boy image and not show any care at all.
Steve F. should be ashamed of himself.
doug - 14 years ago
what i don't understand is why now and who made the decision? couldn't he be more quietly shamed during the Sam Sullivan paralympics? poor Sam, didn't get to be mayor during the games. oh well, i guess when you snap your neck trying to ski between someone's legs you can't expect to get all the breaks.
Gail Morrison - 14 years ago
He was once a figure for everyone to admire. Unfortunately, his actions lately leave nothing to admire. He is a disgrace to Canada.
SAMMY - 14 years ago
stripping Steve Fonyo of the order of Canada award in no way diminshes the fact that he did run across this country on one leg to raise money and awareness for cancer, the fact that his personal life is in disarray should not have any bearing on that accomplishment should it, we all have problems don't we. before you vote think about it.
I find it interesting that people say he made the choice to drink
I don't think it was a choice but a manifestation of his addictions.
Most people who smoke try to to quit at some point and few succeed the first time.
I bring this up because I have experience with it.
So it has taken more than a few tries but it seems like he has finally overcome his problems
I hope so and wish him and his new wife all the best
Another thing that bothers me is the CG's office stripping him of the Order of Canada for something he had little control over(Addictions are an illness and not a choice), while the convicted criminal Conrad Black keeps his Order of Canada
This man has renounced his Canadian citizenship and in the process insulted the country.
"an oppressive little world" I believe is what he called it
and is then convicted on charges of racketeering, obstruction of justice, money laundering and wire fraud a decade later.
He should have been stripped of his OC when he insulted the country but he still has it
It also bothers me that MADD has waded in on this
Yes he was driving drunk
Yes he was convicted of driving drunk
He is working hard to reform and overcome his addictions and hopefully has
Gordon Campbell gets hosed and drives in Hawaii
MADD says its OK, he apologized and feels sorry
Yet this same group supports stripping Steve of his Order
Anyhow in closing just a personal message to Steve
You are still a Canadian hero to us
Best of Luck in your future
Steve did a good thing and was recognized for it. Just because he 'slips' doesn't mean that medal should be taken away. He's had some tough breaks in life. Give him a break! Most of us wouldn't have even tried what he did.
Marg
If any of you are interested in Steve at al it is coming up on his 25th Aniversery of his run that he completed and I'm sure he'd appreciate it if any of you out there could remember this May for what he did. Not what he's doing now.
His soon to be wife
]Lisa G
Re: “Faulting Fonyo” and “Fonyo still a Canadian hero – warts and all,” Jan. 26 (Calgary Herald).
The cited articles expressed opposing viewpoints concerning the recent forfeiture of Mr. Steve Fonyo’s Order of Canada. Mr. Fonyo apparently has committed a number of regrettable offences which resulted in forfeiture of the award.
All awards are given in recognition of some action or activity that society deems meritorious and that rise above what might be considered societal norms of individual commitment to these selfsame actions or activities. Arguably, the purest and most non-political award of the western world is the Victoria Cross, awarded for valour in the face of the enemy and still awarded separately in most commonwealth countries. It is almost the only award given specifically for a single action of extreme bravery in the face of the enemy (many are awarded posthumously). The original Royal Warrant for the Victoria Cross allowed for the award’s forfeiture if the awardee indulged in discreditable post-award activities, much like those of the unfortunate Mr. Fonyo. This feature has remained unchanged and the possibility remains that any Victoria Cross recipient could be stripped of their medal (we would have to consult at the pearly gates concerning the posthumous conduct of many recipients to see if they have misbehaved themselves!).
However, in 1920, King George V expressed the opinion that no crime committed by any holder of the VC can justify forfeiture of their VC, even if sentenced to be hanged for murder! The King’s opinion held, and since that time no VC has ever been forfeited for any cause. In this judgement, I am the King’s man and I support the opinion offered by Mr. Ian Mulgrew. If the Order of Canada is truly a significant award it cannot be revoked and Mr Fonyo should be permitted to retain and wear it just as he “wears” the consequences of his otherwise anti-social activities. If the Order of Canada truly represents “an ideal” then it follows it can never truly be revoked once awarded!
Hi there
As Steve's soon to be wife he has asked me to give thanks for everyone that is supporting him threw this and I would just like to say to those who don't: WHY DON'T YOU GO OUT AND RAISE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE???
thanks again for your support
I don't think that it's fair to strip him of his HUGE accomplishment that he earned so long ago. Steve Fonyo raised money and worldwide awareness for cancer which has no doubt touched all of our lives, families and friends in some manner. If Rick Hanson suffered from depression and began to mess up his life would we all turn our backs on him too? I think not. We take better care of our bronzed Canadian monuments that the mental health of our heros, be it from war, injury, addictions or demons.
I love Terry Fox,, but who's to say what types of demons he may have battled with and how his life would've gone after so many years?? I myself live with a disability and I tell ya,, it can do weird things to you. You feel like less of a person, less of a spouse/mother/father, less of a contribution to society ~ it can mess with your head and your self worth, and I believe this is what's happened to Steve Fonyo.
I know, I know,, he was never the clean-cut poster boy like Terry Fox but he did an amazinglu unselfish thing for cancer research and awarness and he shouldn't be stripped of his deserved award due to personal problems or demons.
I think he needs a big hug, some understanding, and counselling to get his life back on track. Like the Bible says,, "let he without sin cast the first stone". We're only human, and disabilities can mess with your self-esteem and could possibly put all of us on a road we'd rather not be on. Play nice, folks.
Only in Canada!!!! Steve earned it and should never be stripped of it. e.g.If I get a metal in battle is that wiped out if I screw up later in life???? I think not.
Having been a radio announcer for 35 years (now retired) I remember to this day Steve Fonyo's contribution to the walk across Canada for cance research.
As I recall Terry Fox's bid failed somewhere in Ontario and not shortly after that entered Steve Fonyo to pick up the pieces (or might we say to capatalize on a situation for hisown glorification)??????
Yep I am starting to see the light.
Don't know who's idea it was to strip Steve of his order but seriously he is an ambassarment to people that honestly want to raise money for a cause.
Oh let's forget the many drunken driving charges and failure to appears in court.A mark of a true Canadian and someone we can look up too? I think "NOT"
He might have done good in the past but it has been overwritten by all the bad! He is not a good example to our youth as it paints the picture that even though you can break the law its ok to be put on a pedistal.
I think that this man did good and it is not fair that this is being taken away because of a future mistake. It does not erase the good he did in the past. Our wonderful Gordon Campbell made a mistake drinking and driving and I did not see him being stripped of anything. It is just a thought to ponder........
I was split on my opinion and had to vote it is complicated because he did help raise funds but more importantly greater awareness of cancer. However, as a recipient of the Order he must have been advised at some point that the award had standards that they had to adhere to. If he had been serious about seeking and mainting help with his addictions then I would say he should keep it but after so many convictions it does not appear that he was serious about helping himself. I know certain issues/crimes would I would say take it away, antisemitism, murder, abuse of others, to name a few... but ....
Some people should never drink, he just happens to be one of them.
How is it that someone/body is empowered to remove ones accomplishment and acknowledgement of something awarded many years ago?
Regardless of what subsequently takes place in ones life I do not feel that the present overrules the past deed that was rewarded. I do not approve of Mr. Fonyo's recent actions, however, what he did some twenty odd years ago should not be diminished. He was properly awarded at the time.
I did follow Steve Fonyo when he ran across Canada. If the disease meant so much to him, to raise money and be the icon he was, then why not continue doing good for the others suffering with this disease. Instead, he chose to give himself the bad boy image and not show any care at all.
Steve F. should be ashamed of himself.
what has he done lately, Gail? i figured he was pretty much off the radar screen - and i don't mean by not flying helicopters. the Order was given in 1985 so again, why now? is he gaining anything by having it? where do you put that on your resume?
I did follow Steve Fonyo when he ran across Canada. If the disease meant so much to him, to raise money and be the icon he was, then why not continue doing good for the others suffering with this disease. Instead, he chose to give himself the bad boy image and not show any care at all.
Steve F. should be ashamed of himself.
what i don't understand is why now and who made the decision? couldn't he be more quietly shamed during the Sam Sullivan paralympics? poor Sam, didn't get to be mayor during the games. oh well, i guess when you snap your neck trying to ski between someone's legs you can't expect to get all the breaks.
He was once a figure for everyone to admire. Unfortunately, his actions lately leave nothing to admire. He is a disgrace to Canada.
stripping Steve Fonyo of the order of Canada award in no way diminshes the fact that he did run across this country on one leg to raise money and awareness for cancer, the fact that his personal life is in disarray should not have any bearing on that accomplishment should it, we all have problems don't we. before you vote think about it.