GG's bravery medals awarded in Ottawa
A Calgary woman who rescued two people from drowning, along with a New Brunswick man and an Ontario police officer were awarded Stars of Courage for acts of bravery Friday by Gov. Gen. David Johnston.
Casey Marie Peirce, of Calgary, Alexander Bruce Scott, of Saint John, and Bryant Wood, of Port Hope, Ont., received the honours at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa Friday.
The three joined 50 other Canadians who received Medals of Bravery.
"I know that many of you would say that no medal is necessary, that what you did is not deserving of special attention, that anyone would have done what you did in the same circumstances," Johnston said in a speech.
"But, of course, what you did was not what everyone would have done, and today, we offer you the thanks of a grateful nation. We are fortunate to have such heroes in our midst."
Peirce rescued a man and woman on July 26, 2008, whose canoe had overturned during a sudden storm at Spray Lakes, Alta. Peirce heard cries and noticed the canoers in the middle of the lake hanging onto their partially submerged canoe.
Scott rescued a suicidal man from a possible drowning Feb. 27, 2008, in Saint John. While walking along the boardwalk at the harbour, Scott noticed a man in the water in distress. He swam out in the icy water to rescue the man.
On Sept. 9, 2007, Wood, an officer with the Port Hope Police Service, rescued a woman from a burning house. He also received a Medal of Bravery for a separate incident.
The Decorations for Bravery were created in 1972 to recognize people who risk their lives to try to save or protect the lives of others. 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.
"Behind every one of these beautiful medals is an amazing story," Johnston said. "A story of a life saved, a family preserved, a community strengthened. Stories, too, of fear overcome, because bravery is not the absence of fear; it is the judgment that something else — and someone else — is more important than fear."