The Windermere District Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is proud to have two members receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of their outstanding service to the community in which they live.  Comrades Laurie Meadows and Pat Cope recently received their medals in separate ceremonies.

 

 

 

Pat Cope

It was with great honour and pleasure that the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #71 President, Ken Carlow presented on behalf of the Governor General of Canada, the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal to his sister Pat Cope on June 14th. Pat was nominated for this award by two members of BC Yukon Provincial Command Executive Council of which she was a member for approximately 15 years.

In the past 30 years as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #71, Pat distinguished herself many times supporting the veterans of the Columbia Valley. Pat is the fourth generation in her family to have served through the Legion supporting this Valley.  She is proud of her involvement and honoured to serve her community. She is pleased to see her family tradition of commitment to veterans and this community continuing through her husband Ron and their sons, as members of Invermere Legion.

While still a baby at just 28 years of age she was elected as President of the Branch and has served an additional two terms as President since then.  She went on to become East Kootenay Zone Commander in the late eighties and has held various positions and worked on a number of committees both at the Provincial and National level.  Pat returned to become active again at the branch level, becoming President for a third term in 2007.

In recognition of her exemplary effort, Pat has received a Certificate of Merit and a Life Membership as well as being awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.  Pat is one of very few Canadians to have received both medals that mark the anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II and recognize outstanding achievement in public service.

This honour befits her outstanding commitment and dedication to volunteerism at the Legion and to the community in general.

Laurie Meadows

Laurie Meadows was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal at the recent BC and Yukon Command Convention in recognition of her effort and commitment to the Legion and the communities in which she has lived over the past many years.

Laurie Meadows has lived in the Invermere area for 32 years and was a summer resident here for 10 years before moving to the Valley.  She was involved in the social workings of every community in which she resided.  As a mother of three and a grandmother of six, Laurie knows social interaction makes our youth aware of community needs. The support of her family and their acquired interest in community has allowed her the time to volunteer.

Laurie was a fraternal member of the Legion for 5 years prior to becoming an Associate Member in 1988.  This gives her 30 years of service as a member of the Windermere District Legion, Branch 71.  Laurie has served the Branch on almost every committee over the years including Public Relations, Entertainment, Ways & Means, and Membership.  She has held almost every position in the Legion at one time or another including Bartender, Bar Officer, Branch bookkeeper, Treasurer, Finance Officer, Branch Manager, Secretary, Executive Member, President, and Past President.  Laurie also catered some functions within the Branch to allow the Ladies Auxiliary some breathing room.

Laurie served on East Kootenay Zone executive as Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Chair.  For the past six years, Laurie has served as the Zone Commander and was recently re-elected for an additional two years. She just completed two years as the Provincial Sport Chairperson and is looking forward to her new position as Member Benefits Chair.

Laurie’s other community involvement includes: Invermere Community Association — Ways & Means; Windermere Hospital Auxiliary — Ways & Means, Treasurer, Secretary; Scouting — Ways & Means, Treasurer, Administrator, Secretary, PR, Trainer Administration, Finances; DTSS Band Trip Co-ordinator and Chaperone; Caterer for other organizations — BC Forest Service, Scouting and IBA; as well as Assistant Co-ordinator of IBA Fall Fair.

The theory of “ask a busy person to do something” has been a great part of her life.  Laurie’s work and dedication to volunteering in her community is an example for all and her being awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal recognizes her outstanding achievement in public service.

 

 

 

Contributed by Ken Carlow