I just wanted to address this really quick:
I made the awards for past forum/game staff because I thought it was needed. For example, say you come to the forums and see a post by Grizzly saying something very official sounding. You might not know he was a past staffer on the game, and that's why he said what he said. I find it useful on other forums to see icons like that; it also makes things they have said seem more credible (like if they are posting in the "Help!" section about how to connect to the game).
So the medals were not a reward, but merely a classification.
And let's not forget, whatever grief everyone has with retired staff (of forum or game), they did put it many hours of hard work, so I think they have earned the right to a small black and white badge to show their effort in our community.
Hope this helps with understanding my reasons for making the medals