As the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year continues, more locals have been honoured with a medal honouring significant contributions to Canada at a local, regional or national level.
Duane Daines of Innisfail and Stewart Ford of Penhold were invited to an Oct. 10 ceremony in Red Deer where MP Earl Dreeshen handed out the medals.
Ed MacPherson of Penhold and Dan Rieberger of Innisfail both received their medals from Dreeshen at the ceremony as well. They participated in an event honouring Korean vets receiving the medal and other local legion recipients in September.
Daines, Ford, MacPherson and Rieberger along with others received their medals as part of Dreeshen's 30 medal allotment.
“When I first heard that we had 30 medals to distribute, I thought this would be a great opportunity to highlight some of our communities' most selfless and dedicated people. However, I quickly realized how difficult it would be to narrow the list down to 30 people,” read Dreeshen's speaking notes from the ceremony.
Some of Daines' achievements listed as part of the award include his professional rodeo career, his work as a spokesperson for rodeo, a career as a professional auctioneer and an “avid promoter of many community causes.”
“I was very honoured,” Daines said. “I'm sure there are lots of very worthy people.”
He only found out a few weeks before the ceremony that he was to be presented with the medal, joining the ranks of the 60,000 Canadians who will receive the honour.
He said the ceremony was well done.
“They had a pipe band and everybody had a few family (members) there,” he said.
While he said it's nice to be recognized for his work in the community, he said one of the high points of getting the award was seeing many young people getting it for their work.
Penhold resident Stewart Ford's achievements included historical accounts he's provided of the town's pioneers and entrepreneurs and his business success. His creation of heraldic crests for communities and organizations was mentioned as well, along with his support of the community.
Ford declined to provide a comment on the receipt of his medal.
Innisfail's legion has had strong representation with the Diamond Jubilee Medal, with members Doug Whorrall, Gilbert Allen, Herman Thorsen, Smiley Douglas, Nelson Morrison, Chris Strong and Daniel Hank all receiving one.
Another local resident, Gerald Kemp, was awarded his medal in July by Senator Bert Brown.
