Ponoka’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch #66 held its annual honours and awards ceremony at the Legion premises on Saturday, Nov. 22 with the attendance of municipal and provincial dignitaries and members.
Following the opening ceremonies and dinner, Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Rod Fox addressed the participants saying that he was proud to be part of the event organized to recognize the services of the members to both the Legion and the community. He said he had brought the greetings of the Alberta Legislature to Ponoka’s Legion members.
Mayor Dick Bonnett echoed the sentiments expressed by Fox. “The services you provide make this town a great place to live,” said the mayor. “I thank you on behalf of the town council, town staff and all the residents.”
Ponoka County Deputy Reeve Bryce Liddle also thanked the Legion for their contribution to the community.
Following speeches, the recipients were presented with their medals, bars, pins and certificates.
The list of the recipients of awards and honours at this year’s banquet is as follows:
Legion Awards:
Ordinary Members
Five years: Maurice Paul, Leo Belanger, James Marshall, Adrian Verburg
Ten years: Craig Paterson, Raymond Anderson
Fifteen years: George Streeter
Twenty years: Dorothy Houghton, Darrel Perkins, Wilton Littlechild, Jack Hyland
Twenty-five years: Phyllis Carmichael
Thirty years: Gary Armagost, Donald Dillon
Thirty-five years: John Wills, D.Redding, Ed Winter
Forty years: Walt Burchnall
Associate Members
Five years: Lorraine Bailer, Denise Bos, Ilona Carter, Kim Evernden, Rick Evernden, Ron Labrie, Maria Lentz, Chad McIsaac, Kathy Miller-Sande, Roy Parker, Gary Sande, Bonnie Sandin
Ten years: Sybil Evans, Alastair Colquhon, Lynnette Johnston, Glen Wright, Patricia Weinkauf
Fifteen years: Mellody McNeil, Bob Smith, Margo Moench
Twenty years: Elizabeth Morrow, Robi Ferguson, Sylvia Cire, Marlene Ferguson, Reg Rust
Twenty-five years: Charles Patterson, William Dillen, Kevin Hildebrandt, Christine Kawamura
Thirty years: D’Arcy Greene, Pearl Sherman
Thirty-five years: Reg Johnson, Dan Churchill, Linda Richard
Forty years: George Crowhurst, G. Dahms,, Neil Lalonde, M.L. Martens. J. Dickau, H.D. Lawton
Affiliate voting members
Five years: Ken Andreychuk, Sheila Rodney, Russell Buksa, Sandra Olafson
Ten years: Richard Kelly, Verlea Mack
Fifteen years: Dale Moench
Certificate of Appreciation
Bing Jones, Syd Vopni, Barb Olsen, Jerry’s Painting
Certificate of Merit
Doug Gill, Dennis Ensminger, Dave Hunka, Rema Marney
Medals and bars
Gorge Streeter, Aldred Sande, R.E Morrell, David Spink, Michelle Comeau, Steve Giles, Pat Myttenar, Barb Olsen, Stan Orlesky, Marlene Perry
Ladies Auxiliary Pins and Awards
Twenty-year pin: Madam Judy Soucy
Twenty-five year pin: Madam Sheila Debney
Thirty-five year pin: Madam Marlene Ferguson
Forty-year pin: Madam Barbara Gershner
Fifty-year pin: Madam Anne Shelley
Sixty-year pin: Madam Gladys Davenport, Madam Lucille McMechan
Bars and medals
Madam Mary Kjorline, Madam Dorothy Houghton, Madam Pat Myttenar
Ladies Auxiliary Branch Service Medals
Madam Helen Churchill, Madam Mary Kjorlien, Madam Irene Rosin, Madam Pat Myttenar