Fort St. John honours its heroes

Representatives from all levels of government were on hand at the dinner, along with local heroes from veterans, RCMP, military, firefighters, and paramedics.

Senator Richard Neufeld began the award giving, naming husband and wife Dan and Erin Davies as recipients of the medal. The two are heavily involved in the community, with Dan Davies a city councillor, and involved with cadets and the Restorative Justice program, and Erin Davies a teacher and literacy advocate.

MP Bob Zimmer followed up, by presenting medals to Captain Ben Lippers and Michael King. Captain Lippers is the executive director for the Fort St. John Salvation Army and Padre to the Fort St. John Legion. He is also a past Cadet Instructors Cadres officer and is actively involved with the local youth.

"I don't think we're anything special; I just think we look for gaps in the community," he said, upon receiving the medal.

King is currently serving in the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group and is a former commissioned officer in the Canadian Armed Forces with the purpose of instructing community youth through the Army Cadets program. He is also involved in the Royal Canadian Legion.

Although not given an award, Darlene Thomas was invited to the dinner to be recognized for saving the life of a man while she was working as a Walmart greeter. Thomas is a triple-amputee who performed CPR on a man who went into cardiac arrest in the store.

The Heroes Dinner began in 2002, and has evolved into a recognition dinner for citizens from all organizations, especially the military and emergency services personnel. Funds raised from a silent auction went towards the Honour House in Vancouver, which provides free housing for all military and emergency services personal that are in Vancouver receiving medical treatment.

Photos from the night are below: