On June 13, 2019, the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance, took time to recognize one individual whose choral contribution has been heard across Canada.

Mrs. Susan Palmer was awarded the Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation, the text of which reads as follows:

On 19 September 2013, Mrs. Palmer was instrumental in establishing the first rehearsal of the Canadian Military Wives Choir in Stittsville, Ontario. Since then, she has grown her initiative to include 14 choirs and 400 vocalists across the national. Her choir brings military spouses together to support each other through song and friendship and to perform at various venues, including the Invictus Games and Parliament Hill. Mrs. Palmer’s dedication has enhanced the lives of Canadian Armed Forces members and their families.