Veterans Recognized

Minister of Veterans Affairs Honours Exceptional Canadians in British Columbia

By Jonn Lavinnder

COMMENDATION — Bishop Fraser Berry from Kelowna and Minister Thompson at presentation of Commendation in Victoria, BC.

COMMENDATION — The Reverend Leon Richard Fletcher from Kelowna and Minister Thompson at presentation of Commendation in Victoria, BC.

Since serving in uniform, many of Canada's Veterans continue to provide outstanding service to their country, their communities and their armed forces comrades. To formally recognize the contributions of these outstanding Canadians, the Governor General authorized the creation of the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation.

On July 24, 2009 fifteen citizens from British Columbia were honoured for their commitment and dedication to Veterans. The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, presented them with a Commendation during a ceremony in Victoria. Amongst those honoured were Bishop Fraser Berry and the Reverend Leo Richard (Dick) Fletcher of Kelowna.

"Every year, we pay tribute to an exceptional group of diverse and highly committed individuals who have dedicated themselves to serving our Veterans," said Minister Thompson. "They do so with quiet dignity, without asking for anything in return-much like Canada's Veterans."

Bishop Berry said, "When I was informed of this event I discovered, to my delight, that the Reverend Dick Fletcher would be similarly honoured with this Commendation. Some years ago I had the privilege of ordaining Dick to the Diaconate. I know of no one who, as a Vocational Deacon, has so strongly and graciously called our Church to Servanthood. Dick has accomplished this in his quiet and humble manner. He has modeled the servant ministry so beautifully. This Commendation is about Servanthood." Bishop Fraser Berry had been a gunner in WWII with the RCAF. After the war he entered university and became a priest in the Anglican Church. He was made Bishop of Kootenay in 1971. Bishop Berry has been active in the affairs of Canadian veterans for more than 50 years. He retired as Bishop of Kootenay in 1989.

The Rev. Leo Richard Fletcher served in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) 1944-46. He came to Kelowna in 1965 and joined St. Michael’s and All Angels the same year. Ordained in May of 1984, he now serves as Legion Branch 26 chaplain, Naval Chaplain and on call chaplain to the hospital. He still participates as Deacon at the Cathedral on a limited basis.

The Reverend Fletcher said, "My main goal now is to work with veterans and their families seeing that they are aware of the entitlement that is in the system for them." As Chaplain to the naval association in Kelowna he established a special fund for the needs of marine veterans and their families, which has proven to be very valuable to them.