Members of Regina’s Naval reserve recognized with medals at ceremony

Several members of Regina’s Naval reserve were recognized with medals and promotions during an awards ceremony on Saturday. (Wayne Mantyka / CTV News)

Several members of Regina’s Naval reserve were recognized with medals and promotions during an awards ceremony over on the weekend at HMCS Queen.

The HMCS Queen is home to about 50 sailors who are part of Canada’s Naval reserve.

“In my naval career, and this is an old adage, the best sailors come from the prairies. Prairie sailors actually are a thing. There are a bunch of us. You know, the current commander of the Navy is not a prairie sailor, but his predecessor was. The commodore is from the prairies,” explained Capt. Lucas Kenward, Western Regional Commander with the Naval reserve.

Among the members who were recognized on the weekend was Phil Wong, a Naval reservist who received the King Charles Coronation medal.

“The experience that I had was just absolutely phenomenal. Getting the opportunity to go over to Europe for six months to join the Nato task force that’s out there. Who can say that for their job … that you can do that right out of university,” he said.

Reservists hold civilian jobs while serving part time in the miliary. The reserve provides training and an opportunity to go to sea, something Michelle Stoddart hopes for soon.

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“I have been to both coasts. I have been to Victoria. I have been to Halifax, I have also had the pleasure to go to Ottawa and I hope to do a deployment in the next couple of years,” she said.

The medals and other awards were in recognition of exemplary military service and show that there are very good sailors on the prairies.