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‘Defenders of freedom’ receive Diamond Jubilee medals Emma Jackson

emma.jackson@metroland.com

EMMA JACKSON/METROLAND

Diamond Jubilee medal winners Ivan Wyman, left and David Palmer, were honoured by Nepean-Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre and Osgoode Coun. Doug Thompson along with fellow medal winners Audrey Renton, Frank Laturnus and James Duquette. life member at that branch. “I’ve been issued the (Order of Military Merit), and to get this medal tonight overshadows that,” Laturnus said. “It was really a beautiful treat.” He said the medal represents his volunteer work throughout his 36 years in the military, including his time as mayor of Uplands base, where he organized sports teams and recreation for the families.

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EMC news - Five defenders of freedom took home Diamond Jubilee medals on Feb. 12 in honour of their service to Canada and the military. Nepean-Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre presented the awards at the Manotick Legion in front of a packed room. “I thought it was important to celebrate soldiers, veterans and legionnaires because of their courageous service to the country,” Poilievre said. “Many have taken serious risks and suffered sacrifices to do the difficult job we ask of them.” Ivan Wyman, past president of the Greely Legion, received the commemorative medal for his work to increase the profile of the branch in the surrounding community. “During his ten years as president, Wyman improved the facility by contributing his time, knowledge and resources,” Poilievre said. Wyman arranged to have hundreds of loads of landfill brought to the legion in order to have the grounds leveled, which transformed the legion into the recreational facility it is today. He has also been responsible for promoting the rental of the facility to help community organizations and sustain the branch. Poilievre added that the Greely Legion’s Remembrance Day ceremony is one of the most touching in the region, and now has ample room to welcome the public, the local cadet core and area veterans. James Duquette, a former Osgoode resident who now lives in Kingston, was honoured for his role in changing the unfair parental benefits rules for Canadians serving in the military. Several years ago, Duquette’s first child was born

four days before Duquette was deployed to Golan Heights for a tour of duty. Fifty-four weeks later, Duquette returned home to discover that the paternity leave he had been looking forward to had expired at the one-year mark, and could not be deferred. Only people serving jail terms could defer their parental benefits. Duquette told Poilievre of the oversight, and subsequently the federal Fairness for Military Families Act was passed unanimously to allow serving members of the Canadian Forces to defer parental benefits until after their tour. Audrey Renton was awarded the Queen’s medal for her painstaking work in archiving the names and accomplishments of all Rideau area war veterans. Renton is a veteran herself and a war bride who came to Canada in 1946. As a Sergeant with the Royal Air Force, Renton served from 1940 to 1945 as a physical trainer for women working on the base. Renton, 91, has been a member of the Manotick Legion for the past ten years. She also volunteers for organizations like the Anglican Church, the Kars Womens’ Institute and the Kars Recreation Association, and was a long-time leader of the 4-H club. Frank Laturnus was nominated for his community service throughout his career with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Now retired, Laturnus was a chief warrant officer and technical instructor for 17 years. He survived a helicopter crash landing in 1964 while in Germany, and upon his return to Canada he was transferred to CFB Uplands where he became mayor of the military community from 1975 to 1977. Laturnus is the past president of the Manotick Legion and recently became a

“Somebody’s got to do it,” he said. “I was always involved.” Retired sergeant David Palmer was also selected for his continuous advocacy for veterans across the country.

eS C n a CH I N! To W

He has been working tirelessly on an initiative for a new medal to officially recognize all veterans for their service to Canada. As a member of the Barrhaven Legion and past president of the Rotary Club

of Arnprior, he has demonstrated his commitment both to his community and his fellow veterans. He is also responsible for educating local legionnaires about the Veterans’ Bill of Rights.

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License#4921 Manotick EMC - Thursday, February 21, 2013