Belgium Belgian marching medals (MESA and Ijzer)

[JensF.]

Hello,

does anyone have any information about the two current marching medals awarded by Belgium? I mean the MESA Medal (Marche Européenne du Souvenir et de l'Amitié) and the medal for the four days march of the Ijzer (Vierdaagse van de Ijzer). What are their variations and they official belgian decorations? Thanks in advance.

Edited July 29, 2012 by JensF.

[speedytop]

Hi JensF:

both marches have the maximum of 32 km per day. (Nijmeegse Vierdaagse 50 km)

The cross for Nijmegen is an official Belgium decoration. I don't think, that it is the same for these two marches (MESA and Ijzer).

http://home.scarlet..../en/accueil.htm

http://www.mil.be/vi...&ID=493&PAGE=60

Uwe

[Jef]

Hello Jens,

As far as I'm concerned these are not official medals, but the recepients are allowed to wear the medals on a military uniform only the year when the medal was received.

Will also show a pic of the Mesa in a next post.

Attached is a pic of medals of different years.

kind regards,

Jef

[Jef]

Hello again,Jens

As promised a pic of a MESA one. I'm afraid I only have thisone of 1975.

kind regards,

Jef

[Jef]

Hello Jens,

Sorry for not speaking about variations.

From left to right:

Year 1973-1997, gold coloured with a 25years jubileeclasp on the ribbon. Large AlbertI bust

Year 1994, silver coloured large AlbertI bust

Year 1989, silver coloured small Albert I bust

The first photograph shows a bronze coloured medal from 1978, also with a small bust.

The bust must have been changed between the year 1989 and 1994 (?), maybe another manufacturer?

Maybe other users have other year-issues?

I dont know what that smaller medal means. Somebody told me: for people who only walked a part of the march, but I don't know.

Kind regards

Jef

[Jef]

Hello,

You can find this info on : www.mil.be

Souvenirs

No pain, no gain!

Medals and Trophies

In 2012 all participants will again receive an appropriate souvenir according to the distance

covered. This jubilee year ushers in a new cycle, with medals and bars with indication of the date.

This means that every participant keeping to the rules will be given a new medal.

The medal or trophy can be obtained at the inscription desks after finishing your last walking day.

Of course, awards are only granted after verification of the scan results at the start, along the way

and at the finishing line.

The souvenir you receive will depend on the different distances covered over several days.

Each walker only gets one souvenir:

“The Four Days of the Yser Medal” is awarded after walking 4 x 32 km;

Walking 4 days in any combination of the 16, 24 and 32 km distances, will make you the proud

owner of the “Small Medal”;

If you walk 4 x 16 km OR 3 x 32 km OR 2 x 32 km + 1 x 24 km, you will still receive the

“Silver Souvenir Medal”;

Gold pin: at least 2 days, in any combination of the 32, 24 and 16 km distances;

Tile 10x10 (while stocks last) or silver pin: 1 day 32 or 24 km;

Tile 8x8 (while stocks last) or bronze pin: 1 day 16 km.

The 8 km distances will NOT be included when calculating your total distance. You will, however,

receive a nice “rosette” each time you cover this distance.

[TacHel]

Are all Yser March medals inscribed in Dutch?

[Jef]

Are all Yser March medals inscribed in Dutch?

I'm afraid I don't know, but I never saw a medal with French text. I guess all the medals are iscribed in Dutch because the march is organised by Flemish people.

On the other hand I never saw a MESA medal with Dutch text.

Jef

[JensF.]

Many thanks to everyone. You answered all of my questions.

Merci - Dank je well

I also found out, that they changed the design of the MESA medal too:

http://commando-air-...5-medaille-mesa

I plan to take part in the 4 x 32 km Ijzer-March next year.

Edited August 9, 2012 by JensF.

[TacHel]

Just found myself one... I had no idea they were this large and heavy!

[TacHel]

2 questions:

1- This one has M.S.A. in lieu of a year on the top bar, at the minimum I would've expected M.E.S.A.. Any idea of the year and why this inscription?

2- Any idea what the ribbon device means?

[TacHel]

Nobody? :(

[Jef]

I'm sorry ,Frank. That's a bit the problem with the non-officiel medals. There are no catalogues, no reference books about non-official medals. Only the organisation who instituted the medal knows the modalities and regulations...

Wish I could help.

Jef

[JensF.]

I think MSA is the old name of the marche (Marche du Souvenir et de l'Amitié) before the added the "European". The ribbon device may be for taking part for the second time.

[TacHel]

I think MSA is the old name of the marche (Marche du Souvenir et de l'Amitié) before the added the "European". The ribbon device may be for taking part for the second time.

When was the march renamed?

[JensF.]

In 1993: http://home.scarlet.be/~tor-3362/en/historique.htm

[TacHel]

Thanks! :cheers:

[TacHel]

So the medal with M.S.A. is pre 1993.

I also have one with 1973 on its clasp, when would they have started putting the year on the upper clasp versus M.S.A.??

[Jef]

Hello Gents,

This morning I saw this "4 dagen van de IJzer mars" medal om a fleamarket. I couldn't resist to buy it... only 2€. A 2003 edition

I saw it has a new view.....I'm afraid the guy on the medal doesn't look like King AlbertI anymore. But what can you expect for 2 €...

kind regards,

Jef

[JensF.]

Nice one! I'll try to get the 2013 version next year by taking part in the walk.

[Jef]

OK Jens,

Keep us informed about the lay-out of the 2013 version.

Jef

[JensF.]

Here is the medal for the march in 2012 but for 4 x 16 km:

[Jef]

Hello Jens,

Thank you for the link. But I don't think this medal gets more attractive with the years.....

Jef

[JensF.]

No, not really ;)

[TacHel]

OMG! The 2012 variant is quite... Unattractive... Isn't it? :unsure: