Rozmahel brothers receive jubilee medals for service

By RAMON GONZALEZ
WCR Staff Writer
Vegreville

Lt.-Gov. Lois Hole awarded the medal to Brian, a Viking farmer and father of four, and 19 others at a ceremony in St. Paul in December.

"That was quite an honour," exclaimed Brian, 43.

His brother Norman, a 44-year-old immigration officer from Vegreville and a father of five, was one of three who received the jubilee medal from Immigration Centre director Bill Farrell at a brief ceremony in Vegreville.

"I'm flattered to be included with the other two people that did receive it and who are much more deserving than I am," Norman said Feb. 4.

The Golden Jubilee Medal commemorates the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's reign as queen of Canada and was awarded to approximately 46,000 Canadians.

Brian, a member of Holy Heart of Mary Parish, was honoured for his contribution to young people in the Viking community. For over 20 years he has led Kindred Spirits, an ecumenical youth group that provides teens from Grades 7 to 10 with opportunities for self-improvement as well as with opportunities to help others in the community.

"We are involved in (social) justice issues," he explains. Each year, the group plants a Garden of Hope and sells the produce to raise funds for needy young people in Edmonton. They also hold an annual 24-hour starvathon or fast to raise awareness about hunger in the community and to raise funds for hungry teens. Most of the money is channeled through Sister Tess Slavick who works with the Boyle Street Co-op in Edmonton's inner city.

In the summer, Brian and other leaders take the 35-member group camping, water rafting and mountain climbing. In the winter, they go on ski trips to the mountains.

Norman Rozmahel, an active member of Vegreville's St. Martin of Tours Parish since 1989, was awarded the jubilee medal in recognition of the way he relates to others in his job setting. A generous colleague nominated him explaining that Norman was always friendly and helpful at work.

Norman's nomination letter also cites his involvement in Church and the importance he places on family and on his role as a husband and father.

"I would like to credit my parents, Bernadette and William Rozmahel, for our receiving this recognition," Norman said. "For them, involvement in the community and going to Church and praying as a family was very important. We used to pray the rosary every day as a family."

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