PENHOLD – For the second time in six months, a legion member has been awarded the prestigious national Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.
Penhold resident Ed MacPherson’s years of volunteer work and dedication to the community have not gone unnoticed.
MacPherson, 82, was recently presented with the Sovereign’s Medal by Gov. Gen. Julie Payette on Feb. 15.
He received the medal during a ceremony prior to the 2019 Canada Winter Games opening ceremony in Red Deer.
“It was a great experience,” said MacPherson. “She’s very easy to talk to and a very nice person.”
The longtime Penhold resident was joined by his wife Marilee and several family members for the special occasion.
The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers recognizes the exceptional achievements of Canadians from across the country in a wide range of fields and pays tribute to the dedication and commitment of volunteers.
The Sovereign’s Medal was unveiled in 2015 and replaced the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award created in 1995 by then-Governor General Roméo LeBlanc. The intent of the new medal was to build on the legacy and spirit of the Caring Canadian Award.
“When you stop and think of all the years (volunteering) it makes it worthwhile,” he said of the honour. “At my age now I’m slowing down a bit.”
MacPherson spent 32 years serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. He spent five years with the Royal Canadian Navy and several years with the Royal Canadian Air Force in the communications field as a radio and teletype operator.
His volunteer work in the community spans more than 30 years and includes work with youth in field sports including his grandchildren, participating in fundraising initiatives for the community, as well as selfless service with the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion, the Korea Veterans Association of Canada and the NATO Veterans Organization of Canada. He has also been an active volunteer with his local church for several years.
The honour for MacPherson follows the one earned by Innisfail's Joan Miller last October when she also received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers. Like MacPherson, Miller, 76, has made contributions to the local legion and elsewhere in the community, including her church and the Innisfail and District Historical Village, where she currently sits as the organization’s secretary.
MacPherson said he’s received much support from friends, family and members of the community.
“There were quite a few emails and phone calls that came in,” he said. “There’s a lot of people that do a lot of volunteering that just don’t get recognized.”
MacPherson said he has received as much from his volunteer work as the people, groups and organizations he’s served over the years.
“Your social life changes quite a bit when you volunteer,” said MacPherson. “You meet lots of wonderful people.”
Penhold mayor Mike Yargeau noted several of MacPherson’s contributions to the town, including the famed Penhold curtain and the Penhold cenotaph.
He said he was pleased to see MacPherson receive such a deserving honour.
“When we did the Penhold curtain and war memorial, Ed was a big part of planning that,” said Yargeau. “Since we’ve had our cenotaph Ed has been a huge help to us planning Remembrance Day ceremonies and helped get a ceremony like that in Penhold off the ground.
“He’s a tremendous asset for the town. He’s always willing to help out,” he added, noting MacPherson’s impact.
“Penhold is a great town but we’re a better place because of people like Ed in it,” said Yargeau. “Ed is just someone we’re so proud of. It’s such an honour for him and his family.”
