On Friday, 15 Wing officers and staff gathered to pay tribute to the military tradition of bestowing medals, awards and honours to Canadian Forces members to acknowledge their dedication and long service to the nation.
Members were awarded for various accomplishments during the past several months of service at every level of distinction.
Length of service, individual contributions and outstanding conduct awards were presented, with a large portion of the ceremony dedicated to awarding the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal.
“This medal is an opportunity to come together as a nation to celebrate service. This medal acknowledges the unsung heroes from all walks of life who support and contribute to their communities,” Capt. Susan Magill told the audience. “The members have made significant contributions to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community within Canada, or for an outstanding achievement abroad that has brought great credit to Canada.”
Chief warrant officer Deborah Matthews was one of the recipients and told the Times-Herald what it means to her.
“It’s a very humbling experience and certainly not one I was expecting, but it’s an honour to serve Canada and to serve the Queen,” she said.
“It was a busy morning,” Magill continued after the ceremony concluded. “Some of the people awarded are still taking part in training, and it goes to show the skills these people have.”
Brig.-Gen. Martin Galvin ended the event with sharing what such ceremonies mean to him on a personal level.
“It is a privilege of command to take part in ceremonies such as this," he said. "When we do this and read about what our people can do, you think there is nothing our people can’t do.”
Members who received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal included Capt. Jean-Serge Bordeleau, Capt. Pete Butzphal, Cpl. Luis Galindo-Guzman, Col. Paul Goddard, Capt. Matthew Hart, Capt. Paul Jackson, petty officer Alan Lye, chief warrant officer Deborah Matthews, Cpl. Marcel Maillet, Capt. Andrew Michener, Capt. Bassam Mnaymneh, Lt-Col. Brian Murray, Capt. Michele Pistilli, Capt. Avert Pyne, Capt. John Shaw, Lieut. Anton Shevchenko,Capt. Paul Spaleta, Capt. Adam Stewart, Maj. Kevin Tipper, Capt. Craig Tomlinson, Capt. Reagan Wickett, Maj. Robert Wood, Capt. Michael Woodbeck, major corporal Grenville Young, and Capt. Robin Zaloznik.
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