VE
The Invermere
Celebrating Canada Day
58
ue
2014
Iss
Vo l .
June th 25
PHOTO BY ERIN KNUTSON
26
ALLEY CHO
Columbia Garden Village resident Alfred Ames (left) was awarded the MSM Legion Medal at the Invermere Royal Canadian Legion on Monday June 16th. The 70-year-old veteran, pictured here with Henry Butters, was honoured for his heroic efforts in Normandy. See below for the full story.
11
BERNIE RAVEN CHRIS RAVEN 1-866-598-7415 TEAMRAVEN.CA Offices in Panorama, Invermere & Fairmont
Valley Echo 3 Landmark sign missing
1
$
05 INCLUDES GST
Maxwell Realty Invermere
PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NO. 7856
Invermere resident recognized for his heroic past ERIN KNUTSON Special to The Valley Echo Distinguished war veteran Alfred Ames was awarded the prestigious MSM (Meritorious Service Medal) by the Royal Canadian Legion at a veteran’s lunch hosted by local Branch 71 president Ken Carlow and members on Monday, June 16th. Mr. Ames is a long-standing member of Salmon Arm’s local Royal Canadian Legion Branch 62 who now resides in Invermere as a Columbia Garden Village resident. The award is considered one of the highest honours that can be granted a member and is officially approved by the Dominion Ritual and Awards Committee. “He has been my mentor and my friend for over a decade, and it’s fair to say that Branch 62 would not have survived without the service and dedication of fellow comrade and legionnaire Alf Ames,” commented Salmon Arm
Branch 62 President, Henry Butters, in “My father was committed to our fama statement. ily and set aside time from his work and Mr. Ames was formally acknowl- community service for us. He had clear edged by peers and supporters for a views of right and wrong, and always lifetime of outstanding devotion to his emphasized doing the right thing. He ofcommunity and for “going above and ten said that you have no right to combeyond the call of duty” to the legion plain about something if you are not he so proudly served and continues to willing to change it,” said his daughter, serve. Mr. Ames’ distinShelley Hopkins. guished career has takMr. Ames served as a He always en place over a period military driver for the emphasized spanning seventy-six Colonel Finance Officer doing the right thing. in Germany for a periyears. SHELLEY HOPKINS od of two years after Born in Birmingham, DAUGHTER OF ALFRED AMES England, on July 14th being wounded during of 1924, the widower of Olga Ames, the conflict in Falaise Gap, one of two his marriage partner of 65 years, and injuries he sustained while on duty father of Howard Ames and Shelley in France. Hopkins, fought bravely in the Sec“He encouraged taking a stand for ond World War. Mr. Ames was one of your beliefs — he showed his beliefs the 24,000 British, U.S., and Canadian through his actions. He was a steady, allied soldiers who landed on the 50- quiet, kind and very giving man,” said mile beach off the coast of Normandy Ms. Hopkins of her father. on D-Day. Awarded the Overlord Medal by the
VJ (Butch) Bishop Owner/Operator 4846 Holland Creek Ridge Rd. Invermere, BC V0A 1K0
French government for his heroic efforts in what is commonly known as “Operation Overlord,” the Queen’s Medal, and the Dutch Medal for his efforts in the liberation of Holland, the proud and devoted lifetime Legion member was humble and gracious as he accepted his award. Mr. Ames’ notable accomplishments after the Second World War include an induction into the presidency of the Pincher Creek legion branch, where he served on the executive for over ten years. Transferring his membership to Salmon Arm Branch 62 in 1964, Mr. Ames continued to serve in an executive position and on various committees, which eventually earned him the Life Membership award in 2003, and the 70 years of continued service to the Legion award in 2012. “His Legion service is wide and varied,” said Mr. Butters of the war hero. See A4
• Excavators • Mini-Excavators • Bobcats • Dump Trucks • Water Trucks • Snow Plow • Sanding Equipment • Crane Truck • Road Building • Land Clearing • Controlled Burning • Rock Walls • Rip Rap • Top Soil • Sand & Gravel CONTRACT OR HOURLY MACHINE RENTALS AVAILABLE