KAMSACK — Two Kamsack residents involved with the Canadian Forces were presented with prestigious medals during the Kamsack air cadet squadron’s Commanding Officer’s parade on Feb. 26.
Lt. Karen Tourangeau was presented with the Canadian Forces Decoration and Civilian Instructor Karen Bodnaryk was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal by Capt. Troy Rogowski of Preeceville, the Yorkton zone training officer for the Air Cadet League of Canada.
Tourangeau, the cadets’ commanding officer and the current president of the Kamsack branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, has been involved with the Canadian Forces for 14 years. She has been the commanding officer of the cadet squadron for nine years and is serving her third term as Legion branch president.
The Canadian Forces' Decoration is awarded to officers and Non-Commissioned Members of the Canadian Forces (CF) who have completed 12 years of service, says the Legion website. The decoration is awarded to all ranks who have a good record of conduct.
The decoration is awarded to the regular forces, reserve forces, officers of the Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC), Canadian Rangers, and holders of honorary appointments in the CF, it says. The decoration may be awarded to persons in possession of any long service, good conduct, or efficiency decoration or decoration clasps, provided that the individual has completed the full qualifying periods of service for each award and that no service qualifying towards one award is permitted to count towards any other.
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During the Commanding Officer’s parade of the Kamsack air cadet squadron in the auditorium of the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute on Feb. 26, Capt. Troy Rogowski of Preeceville, the air cadets’ zone training officer, performed an inspection of the squadron. | Photo by William Koreluik
Bodnaryk, a past president of the Legion branch, has been involved with the cadet squadron since 1983, first as a parent and civilian committee member and then, since 2002, as an officer.
“By command of the Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Saskatchewan, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medal (Saskatchewan) is hereby conferred upon you in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty’s Accession to the throne as queen of Canada and in recognition of your valuable contribution to the province,” Capt. Rogowski said as he presented the medal.
The certificate was signed by Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty and Premier Scott Moe.
“The medal is a tangible way for the Province of Saskatchewan to honour Her Majesty for her service to Canada,” the certificate said. “It also recognizes Saskatchewan citizens of all ages and from all walks of life who have made contributions to our country, our province or to a particular community.
“This medal recognizes what you personally have done to make Saskatchewan a better place.”
