Two local veterans presented with medals for their service and dedication to the community

A special ceremony was held recently at the Royal Canadian Legion to honour two local veterans. A small group of family and friends were on hand for the last-minute event, and Member of Parliament Arnold Viersen drove up to Whitecourt for the ceremony through unfavourable weather because being part of it was very important to him. First to be acknowledged was Corporal Allen Snow (retired). He received his service medal with NATO bar for the time he spent in active duty in Germany and Norway in 1981 and 1982. As his citations were read aloud, Snow shook Viersen’s hand before the medal was pinned to his jacket.

The second individual to be brought forward for recognition was Leading Seaman Brian Scott. The Scott family has played a very active role in volunteerism in Whitecourt and the Sovereigns Medal for Volunteers is a way of publicly thanking someone for their dedication and commitment to their community. This is the third such medal for the Scott family as both his wife Val and his son Kyle have been presented with it. After roughly 40 years of volunteering locally with a few different non-profits including Repeat Boutique, the Whitecourt Christmas Hamper, and the Royal Canadian Legion, it was the patriarch of the Scott family’s turn to receive the honour.

After posing for pictures with each of the families and congratulating them again on their service, Viersen said he was honoured to be there. “I would like to congratulate the gentlemen on their medals today and I also want to thank Kyle for all his hard work around the Legion and, particularly, for finding these medals and getting them presented. It is my honour and privilege to be here today to present them.”

Kyle Scott, the current Service Officer at the local Legion has been working very hard to make sure that every veteran he meets receives the medals and respect they deserve. Often, veterans are unaware that they have qualified to receive certain medals or that they have qualified for a specific benefit due to their years of service. The process to get a medal, once all the information is put together, is relatively quick but so many miss out due to not knowing.

He also nominates those deserving of honours for the hard work they provide their communities such as with the Sovereigns Medal for Volunteers. He is always on the lookout for someone else he can help and was very happy to see the medals presented in time for the holidays. Seeing his father receive his medal was very meaningful. “It’s really special for me because my dad never asks for anything and never wants any recognition for anything he ever does.”  

Viersen reiterated how important it is that veterans and community pillars be recognized for their hard work and sacrifice both for their country and their community. “These people have served in honour of their country and I think this is the least that we, as Canadians, can do to honour these veterans and people who have served in their communities,” he said with a smile. “Thank you for your service.”