Local veteran commended for volunteer service

By Gordon Lambie
Local veteran commended for volunteer service
Derek Spiers with the certificate he received from The Ministry of Veterans Affairs (Photo : Gordon Lambie)

Earlier this week Sherbrooke’s Derek Spiers was awarded one of this year’s Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendations for volunteer services that improve the well-being of Canadian Veterans. According to a press release from Veterans Affairs Canada the commendations, which are awarded every year, recognize individuals who are considered to have gone above and beyond in improving the well-being, care and remembrance of Canada’s Veterans, based on nominations from within their community.
“I was pretty surprised,” Spiers told The Record, explaining that although he was informed about the commendation months ago, he had not been aware of the impression he made on people.
The Official commendation refers to Spiers’ 22 years with the Canadian Armed Forces and his involvement with the local UN NATO veterans’ group as the main reasons for his recognition in light of the work that group does to help service members transition to civilian life.
Speaking of the recognition, Spiers said that the things he was commended for essentially come from the sharing of support he received himself in the past.
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