Service to Canada, UN recognized
Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Apr 02/01) - An Anglican Bishop and members of the Canadian Rangers were honoured Friday for their contributions to the military and global peacekeeping.
Twenty-three members of the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group received the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal for serving in UN missions around the world.
Col. Kevin McLeod, Commander, Canadian Forces Northern Area, thanked the recipients on behalf of the whole country.
It's the citizens of Canada that thank you for your work," he said.
McLeod noted that the 23 members honoured with the Peacekeeping Service Medal had 47 UN tours between them.
"That's almost 25 years away from your families," said McLeod.
Stanton Hospital chaplain Bishop John Sperry, whose military service dates back to the Second World War, received the Special Service Medal. The medal is awarded to Canadian Forces Members "who have performed a service determined to be under exceptional circumstances".
After serving on destroyers and minesweepers in both the European and Far Eastern theatres, Bishop Sperry began his ministry as a missionary in Kugluktuk. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Rangers and commanded the Coppermine platoon.
"It was a patrol of about 20 men, who were dog team owners, hunters and trappers who knew the land like the back of their hands," said Sperry.
