Sooke resident Murray Lambert, 50, was awarded a Diamond Jubilee medal for his career in the navy and community service work as a volunteer firefighter on Nov. 15.
“We give these medals out to people who have done something for their country, for their neighbourhood, community, etc.,” said Bruce Ferguson, Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans’ Association president.
Ferguson, who was appointed as a partner in identifying, nominating and presenting Diamond Jubilee medals, said Lambert was “worthy” of the honour.
“Here’s a fellow who served his country for 25 years, he’s been on several deployments to the Persian Gulf and that sort of nature, and in addition to that, while he was still serving the forces, he volunteered in his community as a volunteer fireman,” he said.
“Somebody like that is worthy.”
Lambert, who retired from his position as Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class in the Canadian Navy this year, was surprised by Ferguson and his fellow firefighters with the medal.
“I was very humbled and very surprised,” Lambert laughed.
“It’s very neat to be able to be recognized… and receive something like that.”
The Diamond Jubilee medal is a commemorative medal to honour Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th anniversary as the the Queen of Canada and to recognize significant contributions and achievements by Canadians, according to the Governor General of Canada website.
Lambert is one of 60,000 Canadians across the country who will receive the Diamond Jubilee medal this year.
Other area residents who were awarded the medal include Maestro Norman Nelson, Roger and Sonia Desrosiers, Ian Sutherland and Angela Sinclair.
