Friday is the day bravery medals will be handed to Canada's worthy recipients by the new Governor General David Johnston.
As was previously reported in The Citizen, two from the local region will be receiving Canada's Medal of Bravery this year, but it was not known at the time when the event would occur. Friday has now been designated for the presentation ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
One of the bravery citations will go to helicopter pilot Dale Brady of Valemount, along with rescue partner Steve Blake of Jasper. Together they successfully saved two climbers who became stranded for weeks atop Mount Robson. With dangerous weather and poor visibility surrounding the mission, they took advantage of a small, fragile window in the conditions to make a dash for the imperiled climbers and managed to pluck them from a narrow ledge near the summit.
Another of these citations will be bestowed upon, Kimberly Friesen of Quesnel. She was rollerblading on the Quesnel Riverfront Trail when she heard calls for help. A small boy had lost control of his bicycle and fell into the river. Friesen shed her skates, leapt into the strong and nearly freezing current and rescued the child.
Friesen is scheduled to be at the ceremonies in person while Brady will be given his medal at a later time.
The Governor General will present 50 medals of bravery and three stars of courage at this, his first ceremony honouring brave Canadians since accepting the position earlier this year.
The Decorations for Bravery were created in 1972 to recognize people who risked their lives to try to save or protect the lives of others. The Cross of Valour recognizes acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril; the Star of Courage recognizes acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril; and the Medal of Bravery recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.
