The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal was presented to a group of local volunteers at the Weyburn Royal Canadian Legion on Wednesday.
The Diamond Jubilee Medals was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the Throne. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.
Recipients at the Weyburn ceremonies were George Bacon, Ogema; Fred Groshong, Weyburn; Kathryn Groshong, Weyburn; Edgar Kuhn, Weyburn, Larry Pearson, Weyburn; Marlo Pritchard, Weyburn Chief of Police; Barbara Swallow; Maryfield and Kyle Wilton, Stoughton.
George Bacon founded the Ogema District Credit Union, the Ogema Beef Club and Ogema Community band. He has served on several boards, and led in the construction of the Ogema Veterinary Clinic, the Ogema Centennial Curling Rink, the first Ogema Swimming pool, the Ogema Regional Park landscaping and the Ogema Recreation Complex.
Fred Groshong served on the local school board, United Church board of Oungre, the Estevan Co-op board and the Wheatland Senior Centre board. He was also a 4-H leader and a member of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool.
Kathryn Groshong was on the steering committee for the Southeast Regional Library, and was a board member of the Southeast Community College. She is involved in the Town and Country Women, Superannuated Teacher's Federation and the Weyburn Arts Council. She supports the Soo Line Museum, the Tommy Douglas Performing Arts Centre, Heritage Village and the Wheatland Seniors Centre.
Edgar Kuhn joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1952, and has received the RCMP long service medal in 1973. He is a published author, and an active member of the RCMP Regina Veterans Association, the Soo Line Historical Museum, Heritage Village and the Knights of Columbus.
Larry Pearson is an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion of Weyburn. He has organized parades that have included local veterans with members of the local police and emergency services. He has also planned events to honour veterans returning from Afghanistan and has provided support for their families.
Marlo Pritchard has served the citizens of Regina as police office for over 30 years, and was recently hired on to the Weyburn Police Service as their new Chief of Police. Other honours include the Canadian Peacekeeping medals, United Nations medal, Police Officer Exemplary Service Medals and the Saskatchewan Emergency Services Medal.
Barbara Swallow taught at Maryfield School for 28 years, and also coached many school sports teams including curling and volleyball. She is a dedicated Lions member and volunteers with the Maryfield Recreation Board and the Maryfield Curling Club. Barbara is a regional director for the Saskatchewan Curling Association.
Kyle Wilton joined the 2302 Weyburn Cadets five years ago, and is respected not only by his core and other cadets, but by the officers as well. He has received numerous awards, the most recent were the Lord Strathcona Medal and the Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence. Kyle recently joined the fire department in Stoughton as a junior cadet.
There was also a Diamond Jubilee Medal presentation in Estevan on Friday. Recipients from the area included Brian Glass, Weyburn; Peter Piper, Stoughton; Patt Lenover-Adams, Envision Counselling and Support Centre, Estevan; and Kenneth Turner, Midale.
Brian Glass is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion having served on the executive for 13 and a half years. As a member, Brian volunteers setting up for and serving at banquets, working in the kitchen, and special functions such as the Canada Day pancake breakfasts. One of Brian's accomplishments was assisting in getting the "Wall of Veterans" started in Weyburn.
Peter Piper has been a very active and loyal member of the Royal Canadian Legion for the past 35 years. He has served in various capacities in the organization's executive locally and provincially and is currently the Provincial President of the Saskatchewan Command, the Dominion Vice President, and Chairman of the National Membership Committee.
Patt Lenover-Adams is the Executive Director of Envision Counseling and Support Centre in Estevan. Patt also actively participates in various provincial and national committees and foundations such as the Provincial Association for Transition Houses and the Canadian Women's Foundation.
Kenneth Turner has served in the Canadian Militia and Primary Reserve for over 42 years. He has been involved with the Canadian Cadet Movement since 1972 serving in various capacities.
Ken has served as the Cadet Instructor Cadre branch advisor member for the Province of Saskatchewan for five years. He is currently serving as an instructor with the Regional Cadet Instructor School in Winnipeg and as an Aide-de-camp for the current Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan.
