Individuals from the Peace Region received their medals from Bob Zimmer, recognizing their valuable service and contributions to their community.
Photos submitted by Bob Zimmer's office.
Bob Zimmer presented the 2025 King Charles III’s Coronation Medals to recipients at an event which took place at his office in Fort St. John on March 18.
Individuals may receive this medal for their contribution to Canada or to a particular province, region, territory or community. Recipients may also receive this award for significant achievements abroad which brings credit to Canada.
First to receive a medal was Les Klapatiuk, whom after high school joined the RCMP and served in multiple northern communities across Canada.
Klapatiuk chose to leave the force to follow a career in aviation after almost a decade, attaining his commercial licenses in both fixed wing and helicopter aircraft.
“Les has a love for the north. It was while he was reviewing the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline for ‘choke points’ that he noticed the Green Hangar. Les saw the potential and purchased the hangar that became integrated into North American Defense,” said Zimmer.
“In addition to his career, Les volunteered extensively as Unit Commanding Officer in the Royal Canadian Cadet System for over two decades and as a soccer coach.”
The second medal was rewarded to Edward Mah, whose family goes back three generations in the Peace region.
Ed’s father Bing opened “Bings Furniture” in Dawson Creek in 1959, which remained open for 64 years. Bings Furniture closed in 2023 following Ed’s retirement after he personally ran it for the last 45 years.
“Ed has been a proud member of the Dawson Creek community and when he sees a need, he makes things happen,” said Zimmer.
“When he saw that the COVID pandemic was keeping people indoors and isolated he started the North by Northeast Hiking Group, an initiative that garnered him the Dawson Creek Citizen of the Year award.”
The third recipient was Don Wheeler, who has dedicated three decades of his life to serving with Chetwynd Search and Rescue.
“Don helped start Chetwynd Search and Rescue officially in 1995 and is currently the Search and Rescue manager and president of the team,” said Zimmer. “Under his leadership, Chetwynd Search and Rescue have been “On Task” countless times, responding to many regional requests for assistance.
Although Don Wheeler recently retired after working faithfully at the Pine River Gas Plant for 38 years, his commitment to his community remains steadfast.
Over the course of his career, Wheeler and his colleagues have provided many local lifesaving rescues and have played a vital role in assisting outdoor enthusiasts in the community during times of need.
Don and Chetwynd SAR are affiliated with the BC Search and Rescue Association, a network of 78 groups, where more than 3,400 volunteers help manage around 1,750 emergency situations each year.
Last but not least, David Ergang received his King Charles III’s Coronation Medal for his contributions and volunteer work in the Peace region over numerous years.
In 2008, his business, Koda Transport, collaborated with Shell Canada to secure radar speed signs for several local schools and playgrounds.
In 2015, David and his wife Carmen began offering water donations through Carmen’s company, Cordova Oilfield Services, to support those in need during the forest fire season.
During the Old Fort slide, David responded swiftly and dedicated countless hours to helping deliver equipment to the site in support of the Old Fort residents.
“During COVID, David heard that a local First Nation community desperately needed cleaning materials to prevent the elders of the community getting sick,” said Zimmer. “David immediately rounded up thousands of dollars of cleaning materials and donated them to the community.”
The Coronation Medal was established to commemorate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on May 6, 2023, and is the first Canadian commemorative medal created to celebrate a coronation.
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