UCC to posthumously honor two war heroes ‘Ukrainian Canadian Sacrificial Medal’

Two Canadians who served as volunteers in Ukraine’s International Legion and gave their lives for Ukraine’s freedom will be posthumously awarded the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal by Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Ukrainian War Veterans Association of Canada (UWVA). 

The recipients of the medal are Austin Lathlin-Bercier and Winton Hardy, UCC reported.

Austin Lathlin-Bercier, of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba, volunteered for Ukraine’s International Legion in 2022. 

He was killed fighting near Avdiivka in the easternmost region of Donetsk in November 2023. He was 25 years old.

Winton “Bud” Hardy, of the Saskatchewan province, volunteered as a combat medic providing assistance to Ukraine’s soldiers on the front lines. 

He was killed in June 2024, also in the Donetsk region. He was 41 years old.

“Our community is deeply grateful to Canadians who joined Ukraine’s fight for freedom. The debt we owe them can never be repaid,” stated Taras Jackiw, Chair of the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal Committee. “It is an honour for our community to bestow the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal to these courageous heroes. Let us ensure that their sacrifice is forever remembered. May Their Memory Be Eternal. Вічная Пам’ять.”

Established by a Resolution of the 27th Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians in Winnipeg in fall, 2022, the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal honours Canadian citizens who have been killed or wounded in action serving with Ukraine’s Armed Forces in defence of Ukraine’s freedom against Russia’s genocidal war.

“Representatives of the UCC and UWVA, and local Ukrainian communities have the honour of presenting the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal to the families of the Fallen at solemn events in the communities across Canada the recipients of the Medal called home,” UCC reported.