Four Receive Diamond Jubilee Medals

Tuesday, November 12, 2012 Sen. Richard Neufeld remarks made at middle presentation on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 130 at the one restaurant. I’m presenting these medals on behalf of on behalf of her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the ascension to the throne.

In making the presentations to Grace Bumstead, the senator said he had one to Grace on council for several years during which time Grace had achieved many things for the community including bringing the mobile mammography unit to Fort Nelson. Her work for cancer, carried over many years. And her shepherding of the seniors citizens complex that bears her name.

In making the presentation to Marl Brown, the senator said Marl had devoted a lifetime to collecting the artifacts and history of the Alaska Highway and housing them in the historical museum in Fort Nelson. His collection of vintage automobiles has provided the destination point for tourists, who spent time in the community as a result of having this precious collection here. Neufeld noted that more richly deserved the Walter Smith’s Vision the award he received from tourism BC last week in recognition of the work he and his wife Mavis have done in promoting tourism in northern BC. “It couldn’t have gone to a better person”. “Marl, as you know, it’s kind of a quiet quiet person, but on occasion he can get quite vocal. And he has got quite vocal with me. The Gov. Gen. came to Fort Nelson by train and Marl was to drive him to town in his model T. I drove with me in my car too fast for the model T and when we met up he let me know the model model T’s don’t go all that fast.” I appreciate all you have done in developing the museum and it’s great that we we have someone in our midst who spends all that time because it’s for the benefit of all of us. Not not just for the people who live here but also the tourists. And see what Fort Nelson’s all about. “In selling your beard for $10,000 or one point, I did a little bit for that I seem to remember.” Marl wondered if the medal would fit his 1908 vehicle’s hub cap. “This wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for all the great volunteers,” Marl said many of whom were present for the occasion.

The next to receive their awards where Dr. Anthony and Judith Kenyon. “Everybody here will know Judith 10 AM unit is been an absolutely marvelous person in the community, taking over the newspaper, and still being with the newspaper. Fort Nelson wouldn’t have a newspaper if it wasn’t for you. We know that I’m really thankful for that. I can remember reading some articles when I was mayor and I is stable and I wonder if I like that newspaper you are always very fair. And Judith and it is as much I either. Secret state of mind and she could do that quite well and sometime she would write it in the newspaper. And I would know that was what she was telling me. I just read it in the newspapers has got to be true. You’ve been a great person in this community viewed as the sole well-recognized and deserving of all recognition we could ever give you doing what you have done and making Fort Nelson your home. Having your children here and I see that here today with a correct with the grandchildren and it’s great to have them here.”

“Tony everyone in the town does you, I’ve always known as Dr. Kenyon, I think you being the family doctor for probably always people in this room today, and in this community of Fort Nelson. On top of that you’re one of the one of the top doctors among the top surgeons we had in British Columbia. I’ve been told that by other people. You left your home life t you were at the hospital at all hours of the day and night. This community has been extremely lucky to have a doctor of your quality that stayed in the community as long as you did and I can’t imagine you leaving now. It’s been great knowing you Tony and all the things you’ve done for the community and not just in the medical profession, I can remember being on city Council and you offered your help your expertise to help us get some things done in Victoria, and you used to make the trip with us to help us get these things done and I want to thank you for that. My 1st wife would probably not be alive today had it not been for this man. He didn’t tell me that, I took it to Vancouver following surgery and the doctors there said you’re lucky to have him work on their without that keep she probably wouldn’t have lived. So you’ve touched everyone of us.” Without then recalled an incident when: “in the early 90s I acquired an arrhythmia problem with my heart. I didn’t know it. I was going to a meeting here I was the MLA at the time, and my heart took off so I said to my assistant think I’m having a heart attack in going to go to the hospital, you have to go to the meeting and look at things at the town office, and the driver to the hospital. She said you shouldn’t drive and I said about better and I’m in a hurry so get in there. Anyway I went to the hospital and Tony came from home, at that time he didn’t fully tell me, but I’ve had that since, from doctors about from where they actually inject you with something at and it momentarily stops your heart and starts again on a different path. Tony stopped my heart.a