Oak Bay resident E. L. (Larry) Gollner, retired Brigadier-General, canB次元官网网址檛 pin down what his latest accolade might be for B次元官网网址� two years working on B.C.B次元官网网址檚 first Afghanistan memorial, or two decades working with veterans.

He expects heB次元官网网址檒l never know whoB次元官网网址檚 responsible for the surprise phone call the evening of April 23 from the Governor GeneralB次元官网网址檚 staff in Rideau Hall.

B次元官网网址淚 was both surprised and honoured needless to say,B次元官网网址� Gollner said.

Goller will receive the SovereignB次元官网网址檚 Medal for Volunteers that recognizes exceptional volunteer achievements from across the country and abroad, celebrating a wide range of voluntary contributions.

He only spotted on recently, and pointed out to his wife Christine, on a naval officer during the recent event at Government House for the Judith Guichon.

As an official honour created by the Crown, the SovereignB次元官网网址檚 Medal for Volunteers is part of the Canadian Honours System. The program has incorporated and replaced the Governor GeneralB次元官网网址檚 Caring Canadian Award, which was created in 1995, by then-Governor General the Right Honourable Rom茅o LeBlanc.

The SovereignB次元官网网址檚 Medal for Volunteers recognizes living Canadians who have made a significant, sustained and unpaid contribution to their community, in Canada or abroad. Non-Canadians are also eligible if their contribution brings benefit or honour to Canadians or to Canada.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been around for not all that long, but someone obviously did the research and decided I might be a suitable candidate and nominated me and there I was,B次元官网网址� Gollner said.

While they donB次元官网网址檛 tell who made the nomination, he figures it could be for the two-year effort he put into the in Victoria at the corner of Quadra and Courtney streets. HeB次元官网网址檚 also been the senior advisor to veterans ombudsman for going on eight years

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B次元官网网址淏ut IB次元官网网址檝e been looking after veterans individually and collectively for 20 years now so it might be that too. And I donB次元官网网址檛 suppose theyB次元官网网址檒l enlighten me,B次元官网网址� he said good-naturedly. Gollner noted he earned the Order of Military Merit a long time ago and never did find out exactly why.

Given the choice of receiving from the Lieutenant Governor here, or heading for Rideau Hall to receive the honour from Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, he hopes to see it come sooner locally. Plus heB次元官网网址檚 already met the new Governor General last year, and would like to meet the new LG Janet Austin, CEO of the Metro Vancouver YWCA and former executive director of Big Sisters of the Lower Mainland.

HeB次元官网网址檇 love to have the medal in time for the Aug. 9 National Peacekeeping Day parade, where people will expect to see it for the ceremony at the cenotaph in Victoria.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 proud of the award, but I would certainly appreciate knowing more about why I got it so I could thank the people that went to the trouble of preparing it,B次元官网网址� Gollner said. B次元官网网址淚 appreciate that someone took the time to recognize what I have been doing, whatever it is.B次元官网网址�

Nominate a friend, neighbour or member of your community who deserves this unique honour by visiting www.gg.ca/caring.