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Cochrane, Airdrie, and Rocky View County residents presented with Platinum Jubilee Medals

Recipients from Cochrane included Jennifer Bacon, Sgt. Robert Campbell, Jill Anderson, Dani Roos, Stephen Scott, Dr. Karl Tomm, Lorne Bremner, Travis Cummings, and Jason Yardley.
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The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 15 awarded 18 individuals from across Cochrane, Airdrie, and Rocky View County with Platinum Jubilee Medals at a presentation Ceremony on Jan. 27.

Despite a sudden change in temperature and poor weather conditions, residents of Cochrane, Airdrie, and Rocky View County braved the elements to take part in a presentation ceremony where they were honoured with Platinum Jubilee Medals on Jan. 27.

The ceremony took place at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 15, where 18 recipients were presented their medals for outstanding service and citizenship by Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie.

“We are here to celebrate those recipients of the Queen’s Jubilee Award,” Guthrie said. “This is an award for those who have gone above and beyond in the call of duty, those who have shown commitment to service, or their community.”

Recipients from Cochrane included Jennifer Bacon, Sgt. Robert Campbell, Jill Anderson, Dani Roos, Stephen Scott, Dr. Karl Tomm, Lorne Bremner, Travis Cummings, and Jason Yardley.

Additional recipients in attendance included Lori Reist, Mike Reist, and Juan Bentancour from Airdrie, alongside Eric Paxman from Coalhurst.

Although they were unable to attend, Alex Dove of Rocky View County and William Hudson, Jeff Kirby, and Brenda Grass from Airdrie were also recognized as recipients of the distinguished medal.

Cochrane recipient Lorne Bremner, organizer of the Cochrane all-girls hockey league now known as Jr. Chaos, said it was an amazing, yet humbling experience to receive the award. He plans to be part of female hockey in Cochrane for as long as possible with the goal of bringing empowerment to young girls in the sport.

“Like [Guthrie] said we don’t do this for accolades, we just do it,” Bremner said. “If we know people are out there, paying attention to what you are doing, it’s humbling.”

St. Timothy High School teacher and athletics coach Travis Cummings, known for his work with students, athletes, and also as a coach for the Cochrane Endurance Program track-and-field club, said he was still awestruck, even after the ceremony had ended.

 “I feel like I don’t know if I should be in with this crowd or not, but it hasn’t sunk in yet,” Cummings said. “It is such an honour and I feel very fortunate to be part of this ceremony today.”

Juan Bentacour from Airdrie, a correctional officer for the Calgary Remand Centre and a volunteer with Wounded Warriors Canada ­– an organization that helps officers around the country who are struggling with mental and physical health, said he also felt honoured and blessed to receive the award.

“I’ll just continue to do what I do,” Betancour said. “I have a lifelong purpose to serve my community so I just want to do the best that I can be, and that’s it.”

Eric Paxman from Coalhurst, a member of Cochrane Fire Services with an extensive repertoire of contributions to the Cochrane community, said that he was surprised he received news that he was nominated for the award, but was honoured to receive it.

“I’m really happy to be part of the Cochrane community,” Paxman said. “I love working here, I work with really great people, I have a few other commitments outside of here, but that’s why I always keep coming back.”

Jason Yardley, a serving member of the Calgary Fire Department and part of their honour guard, with 26 years of service of military service as a platoon warrant officer with the Calgary Highlanders, and former involvement with the Evanston Creekside Community Association, shared the same sentiments as his peers.

“It’s incredibly moving and I’m humbled by the honour and the award, given that I served in the military and had the opportunity to meet Her Majesty on a few occasions,” Yardley said. “I’ll continue to do what I do … to continue to serve Cochranites and Albertans as a whole.”

 


Daniel Gonzalez

About the Author: Daniel Gonzalez

Daniel Gonzalez joined the Cochrane Eagle in 2022. He is a graduate of the Mount Royal University Journalism program. He has worked for the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta and as a reporter in rural Alberta for the ECA Review.
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