LAKELAND – Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs presented King Charles III Coronation Medals to 19 people from the constituency on March 9, calling the day an opportunity “to celebrate the people who keep our communities going.”
The coronation medals are awarded to people who have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region, or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.
“I do fundamentally believe that the purpose of this medal goes far beyond just a symbolic recognition of this historic coronation event. It is really a testament to your dedication, your duty, your patriotism and your exceptional contributions to our communities,” said Stubbs.
She said the people chosen to receive the medals were all nominated by their peers in the constituency.
“I know that there are people in this room who might not vote for me, or who think of themselves or hold a different world view, or maybe different values. That doesn't matter, that never mattered to me, and it was very important between me and my team, that these selections were made based on constituent nominations and that alone,” said Stubbs.
The 19 recipients of the coronation medals are:
- Lorraine Gislason, Athabasca
- Billie Milholland, Elk Point
- Kirk Hughes, County of Vermilion River
- Jim Storch, Mannville
- Thomas Myktiuk, Smoky Lake
- Troy Vetsch, Thorhild
- Irene Rettman, Thorhild
- Larry Hryciw, Thorhild
- Terry Boettcher, Two Hills
- Terry Kuzyk, Vegreville
- Maria Radcliffe, Vegreville
- Robert Fisher, Vermilion
- Don Henry, Vermilion
- David Henry, Two Hills
- Reta Diduck, Andrew
- Laverne Wilson, Elk Point
- Jordan Ruegg, Smoky Lake
- Yolanda Oberhofer, Marwayne
- Wendell Pozniak, Athabasca
Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr took a moment to remember Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for 70 years before her son King Charles III became King of Canada and the 14 other Commonwealth realms in 2022.
“I see all of these medals on men's and women's chests, and I'm going to tell you that brings me pride. And the men and women that are on these walls that we see within this Legion have given their lives. I want to recognize the importance of their sacrifices for what we have today,” said Cyr.
Also present was Town of St. Paul Mayor Maureen Miller, who noted the impact of being recognized for the work one does.
“You do this kind of work, and you do it out of the goodness of your heart. It's our honour to actually thank you on behalf of the communities you serve. You serve your community and impact my community. Go home and wear this with pride, because those that have nominated you to be here recognize that spirit within you, and they know that your impact on community has been powerful,” said Miller.
