Eighteen people from southeast Saskatchewan were recognized for their commitment and dedication to their respective communities during a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal ceremony on November 16 in Estevan.

The recipients were honoured for their service to youth organizations, sports, recreation, culture, the arts, municipal governance, social issues, the fight against cancer and other causes.

Several of the recipients have been involved with the Royal Canadian Legion, air cadet squadrons or army cadet corps. Several of them are veterans, and one, Leading Seaman Bradley Chapman, is a current member of the Royal Canadian Navy.

“I know you stand firm for values that are important for us as a country,” Souris-Moose Mountain MP Ed Komarnicki told the recipients. “In fact, our country is stronger because of you. I know that your values are passed on not just to those who are in your sphere of influence, but also to your children and your grandchildren.

“I'm sure that long after you and I are gone, those values will continue to go forward.”

The recipients were:

*Ken Box, Windthorst: A long-time associate member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Box currently serves as one of the provincial vice-presidents of Saskatchewan command.

*Donavon Bradley, Moosomin: Bradley spent 25 years as the mayor of Moosomin. He has also been active with minor hockey and the Elks in the community, and he supports outdoor groups.

*Bob Burns, Estevan: Burns has been an umpire for more than 60 years. He has initiated umpire clinics to teach youngsters how to officiate games. Burns has also been an avid supporter of local hockey.

*Leading Seaman Bradley Chapman, Halifax, Nova Scotia: A former Estevan resident, Chapman joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 2005, continuing a family tradition of people who served in the Canadian Forces. He was deployed to Haiti following the 2010 earthquake, and he aided with the construction and rebuilding of orphanages and schools.

*Irene Doty, Carlyle: Doty is a strong supporter of history who has preserved period costumes that have been used in events. She has been involved with many different organizations in the Carlyle area.

*Brian Glass, Weyburn: A veteran who spent nine years with the Royal Irish Rangers, Glass has taken an active role in Weyburn's Legion and other organizations. He has also won 13 national darts championships.

*John Henderson, Carnduff: Henderson is a veteran who served with the Airborne Regiment as a paratrooper. He was also posted to National Defence Headquarters. He is involved with the Legion.

*Clayton Leduc, Moosomin: Leduc is a paramedic who teaches CPR to community groups, instructs first responders, and promotes the EMS as a career. He is also involved with air cadets and the Legion.

*Don Lees, Arcola: Lees has been involved with many different agricultural groups and other committees. He is a founding member of the Moose Mountain Livestock Co-op and the Moose Mountain Ag Day.

*John Len, Estevan: Len spent 12 years on Estevan City Council, serving six years as councillor and six more as mayor. Numerous vital projects were completed during his time on council.

*Patt Lenover-Adams, Estevan: The long-time executive director at the Envision Counselling and Support Centre, Lenover-Adams has guided the organization through extensive growth. She is also involved with numerous different provincial and national committees.

*Peter Piper, Stoughton: Piper has been a very active and loyal member of the Legion. He is currently the provincial president of the Saskatchewan Command, the dominion vice-president, and the chairman of the national membership committee.

*John Pott, Carlyle: A retired RCMP officer with 35 years of experience, Pott is a dedicated volunteer with the Legion at local and provincial levels, and he is a long-term care surveyor for Veteran Affairs Canada.

*Anne and Douglas Silversides, Glenavon: Anne's interests in her community involve agriculture, youth, the elderly, the environment and community beautification. She has taken a role in many different projects. Douglas operated a mixed farming operation, was a councillor with the Rural Municipality of Chester, served on a number of local boards, and has been active in agriculture and youth hockey.

*Pat Steinke, Estevan: Steinke has advocated youth involvement with Estevan's Relay for Life since she was the event's co-chair. She has been a proponent of the Mini Relays that have happened in schools. Steinke is involved with a number of other groups, too.

*Kenneth Turner, Midale: A reservist for 42 years with the Canadian Militia and the Primary Reserve, Turner has also been involved with the cadet movement since 1972. He is active with several other organizations in the community.

*John Wilson, Carlyle: Wilson was a leader with the Moose Mountain Air Cadets for 20 years, and eventually became the area director for air cadets. He has also been an RM councillor, a member of different committees, and part of the Legion.

The medal was created to mark the 60th anniversary of the ascension of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne. Komarnicki said more than 60,000 medals will be handed out across the country this year.