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Surrey residents honoured by governor general

Seven locals among 150 recognized Canada-wide.
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Environmental advocate Ron Meadley was among several Surrey residents honoured by Canada's governor general at a ceremony on March 4.

He was driving on a highway in West Kelowna when it happened.

Second Lt. Robert Archie Alliston looked over a saw an out-of-control vehicle go by with an unconscious driver a the wheel. Alliston immediately pulled over and chased the car down on foot. He then managed to open the passenger door and put the car in park. He administered first aid to the driver until paramedics arrived, but the victim did not survive.

Alliston is among seven Surrey residents – and 150 "remarkable Canadians" – honoured by Canada's Gov. Gen. David Johnston on Friday (March 4). Alliston received a Meritorious Service Decoration (Military Division) at ceremony in Vancouver.

Other honourees included Sgt. Mark Andrews and Deputy Chief Const. Warren M. Lemcke of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), who were both given a Bar to the Police Exemplary Service Medal in recognition of their 30-years of service to public safety.

Four other Surrey citizens received the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award:

• Mark Elson was lauded for his many years contributing to the safety of his community as a volunteer with the Surrey Fire Department, Block Watch and as an auxiliary constable with Surrey RCMP.

"Over the years, he has spent countless hours training new volunteers and implementing safety measures to make the community a safer and better place to live," read his commendation.

• R. Kyle Friesen has dedicated his time and resources to sharing classical music with residents of the Lower Mainland since 2003, when he joined the New Westminster Symphony Orchestra. He has served as treasurer and secretary with the orchestra, fulfilling various administrative duties to keep the group afloat.

• For eight years, James Mann has been a leader in the fight against dementia by advocating for a more concerted response to reduce the stigma associated with Alzheimer's disease by educating people and taking on roles with both the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia.

Ron Meadley has been an active volunteer and advocate for the conservation of Surrey's natural areas and streams for the past decade.

"His passion and commitment have brought about wonderful results and his volunteer contributions continue to make a lasting and positive difference to the people and wildlife of Surrey," says his award commendation.

Meadley was Surrey's Good Citizen of the Year in 2014.