Six residents from Comox were presented with King Charles III Coronation Medals on Feb. 11.
North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney presented the medals at Crown Isle in Courtenay. The medals were presented to Patti Alvarado, Camille Douglas, Janette Martin-Lutzer, David Mellin, Nina Usherwood, and William Webb.
Alvarado runs an indigenous women's sharing society and Unbroken Chain in the Comox Valley. In doing so, she is making significant contributions to her community, providing outreach work, indigenous and non-indigenous support to elders and other community members that are struggling. IWSS and Unbroken chain provides healing circles through drumming, crafting, and talking, they put on many events in the community, providing advocacy, harm reduction and awareness for injustice and social stigmas. She also hosts training seminars for harm reduction, violence against women and cultural sensitivity.
Douglas has made significant contributions that have brought credit to her community and Canada. Currently, she serves as the manager of the Totem Times newspaper at 19 Wing Comox and is committed to the morale and well-being of our military community. In addition to being recognized as one of Comox Valley鈥檚 Top 40 Under 40 in 2012, and receiving a 19 Wing Commander鈥檚 Commendation recently, Douglas has dedicated many hours of volunteer service in community building, and in celebration of the arts, sport, and agriculture. For example, in supporting K'omoks First Nation in cultural events, participating in diversity and inclusion advocacy through Comox Valley Pride, or supporting our sporting culture in the Comox Valley (MOMAR, Snow to Surf). She was co-founder of Elevate the Arts and Imagine Comox Valley, and has produced events with TEDx Comox Valley, Cumberland Village Works, and MusicFest. She served numerous committees with Boomer鈥檚 Legacy and BC Freestyle, and was part of the Habitat for Humanity Women Build team. She has also held various board positions in several provinces as a military spouse, including the Cumberland Community Forest Society, Portage Potato Festival, Yellowknife Military Family Resource Centre, and the Weyburn Wheat Festival.
As President of the Comox Valley Ukrainian Cultural Society, Martin-Lutzer has led the efforts of the Society in preserving, practicing and promoting Ukrainian traditions and cultural interests. But especially over the last three years, she has secured collaborations with an incredible and diverse group of community volunteers and organizations to assist the Society to focus their efforts in supporting Ukrainian newcomers to the Valley who have escaped the war in Ukraine. Her leadership and compassion along with well-organized aid programs and fundraisers such as the 鈥淪till Standing with Ukraine鈥� concerts and Ukrainian dinner nights, have assisted over 300 Ukrainian newcomers with their needs when needed most. In collaboration with the Victoria-based Help Ukraine Vancouver Island organization, Janette and her team of volunteers assembled and delivered over 90 "Welcome Baskets" to Ukrainian newcomers when they arrived here in the Comox Valley and in Campbell River. Martin-Lutzer also represents the Society on the Comox Valley Regional Partnership Council for the Welcoming Communities Coalition.
Mellin鈥檚 devotion to country, community and economic development in the Comox Valley speaks volumes. In the past, his contributions have included being the Manager for Comox Valley Search and Rescue, Committee member for the BC Games, BC Seniors Games, the CV Charity Golf Classic, Comox Air Force Museum, Boomer鈥檚 Legacy, CV Commercial Hockey League, Mt Washington Volunteer Ski Patrol, BC Aux RCMP Advisory Board, Courtenay Airpark Association,1st Chairman of the Comox Valley Airport Commission , Forbidden Plateau Reclamation , CV Gateway sign, and the Snowbird on a pedestal at the Visitors Centre, just to name a few. Dave served as an Auxiliary RCMP constable in the Comox Valley for over 42 years second longest serving member in Canada. He also assisted on 3 Habitat for humanity builds and recently with Wounded Warriors Canada raising money to help first responders and the Canadian Military. He has helped to raise well in excess of $1,000,000.00 for local charities and Community projects. More recently Dave has been focusing his fundraising prowess and dedication to Vampire Pavilion Project here at 19 Wing Comox.
When Sgt. Usherwood, who came from a military family, joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1979 and served our country for over 42 years, she went by a different name and gender. She transitioned and legally changed her name. While the military policy on transgender members changed in 1999, Usherwood could still see that transgender service members suffered extreme hostility. As a result, Usherwood stayed hidden until 2009, with 30 years service at that time. Based on her own traumatic experience with the Canadians Armed Forces and Veteran Affairs, Usherwood has become a strong and persistent voice, fighting for a more organized and inclusive process to assist veterans retiring from the Armed Forces and to access VAC services. While still in the military she became involved in restorative justice though the Community Justice Centre. Medically release from the military, Nina has continued to volunteer and assist the LGBTQIA2+ community to benefit from her learnings and education with social injustices. Nina looks to end the oppression of the marginalized in Canada.
Finally, Sgt. William Webb is a veteran of the Afghanistan war. As part of the Artillery Training Team on Operation Attention, he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. He advocates for national standards for service dogs to help trauma survivors. Service dogs aid veterans with PTSD and others with mental health conditions by reducing symptoms, improving sleep, and increasing social integration. Sgt. Webb contributed to "Leave the Streets Behind," a Royal Canadian Legion program for homeless veterans, helping over 20 veterans in the Comox Valley. In February 2019, he testified before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs in Ottawa, aiming to build housing for veterans in his community and again in 2021 to advocate for a National Standards for service dogs. Bill's tireless dedication continues to assist current serving CAF members, veterans and RCMP during difficult times. 鈥淭hough our circumstances around trauma are different, the symptoms are the same.鈥�
The medals were created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, was launched by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, recognizing those who have made significant contributions to Canada and their home province. In all, 30,000 Canadians will receive the medal.
Other presentations in the North Island-Powell River riding are scheduled for later this spring.
