Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan presented Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals on Monday to 15 recipients in the Comox Valley.
"Our commitment to Canada is strengthened when we collectively pay homage to those who distinguished themselves by virtue of their talents, their generosity, and their service to their community and to our country," said Duncan. "We are proud to recognise today’s recipients for their contributions."
Monday's recipients were:
• Gina Bainbridge, who spearheaded Good Samaritan Kitchens at Four Square Church in Courtenay for 15 years.
• Lieut.-Col. (Ret.) David Fletcher for his dedication and perseverance with St. John Ambulance's dog therapy program. He has helped the group grow to over 36 handlers.
• Bishop John Frame, who served as Bishop of the Yukon — where he began a training school for aboriginals — and Dean of Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria. During retirement in the Comox Valley, he relieves the priest at St. John The Divine. He is an active visitor at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
• Glen Greenhill, who has been with the BC Ambulance Service since 1984, and is the recipient of many awards including Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal, BCAS Leadership & Development Award, and BCAS Leadership Achievement Awards. He has been an auxiliary constable with the Comox Valley RCMP for more than 20 years.
• Tom Grant, who initiated a task force on homelessness in 2007 and co-founded Dawn to Dawn Action on Homelessness Society. He has also been an active member of Comox Rotary since 1992 including serving as president and director, and he is a current Comox councillor and director on the Comox Valley Regional District board.
• Michael Hendren, who has been on the board of Comox Valley Air Force Museum since 1999, including time as secretary and as president.
• Richard Hilton, who is an original member of First Special Service Force — the predecessor to Special Forces.
• Gordon Frank Ireland C.D., who has a long history of military, community, political, human and social service. His volunteer experience includes 17 years as president of Big Brothers, plus time spent with Evergreen Seniors and Anderton Therapeutic Gardens.
• Kathleen MacBeth, one of the last living members of the Edmonton Grads historic women’s basketball team. She's a long-standing church pianist at Courtenay Four Square Church and organist at St. Peter’s Anglican Church.
• Capt. William MacDonald, who spent 43 years in the volunteer fire service in B.C., including representing Vancouver Island with the BC Fire Training Officers Association.
• Lt.-Col. Paul Philcox, (resident of Duncan), whose extensive military career included National Defence Headquarters from 1982 to 1985. His many awards include Nobel Prize for Peace 1988, Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, Commemorative Medal for Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
• Capt. J.H. Procter, for his extensive military career from 1948 to 1974 and voluntary community/military service ever since. He is a military historian and researched and edited a publication on 407 Squadron.
• William Quigg, who is described as a force for the preservation, presentation and enhancement of Scottish culture in the Comox Valley for 36 years. He founded the Comox Valley Pipe Band in 1985 and the CV Highland Games in 1995.
• Jesse Scott for her long record of public service including the Comox Valley Boys & Girls Clubs, Kiwanis and currently with Anderton Therapeutic Gardens. Together with her late husband, she started the Comox Valley branch of the Monarchist League.
• Deborah Wright, who for 10 years has been the leader for three Girl Guide Units, helping with programming, organizing, producing newsletters, weekly meetings, and much more. She also volunteers with Cadets, including position of Commanding Officer, plus she and husband work at Cadet camps in the summer months.
— MP John Duncan