by John Kipp
In January, Cal Melrose was a little startled when MLA Whitney Issik appeared at his door to deliver QE II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal. The medal is awarded to those Albertans who exemplify the Queen’s dedication to public service and commemorates the 70th anniversary of Her Late Majesty’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. Created by the Province of Alberta, the medal is conferred on a distinguished group of people who have shown the same dedication to the province and to the community.
Whitney had not planned on visiting Cal that evening. Instead, she had orchestrated a UCP get-together for that evening of former UCP membership volunteers to surprise Cal with the medal. “I was the former membership chairman” says Cal, “and I was supposed to go to this thing. I asked Siri for directions on my iPhone but got lost because Siri had given me walking directions – not driving directions!” Cal, who turned 92 this year, returned home and was later visited by Whitney who conferred the award to her friend. “Cal and I have known each other a long time” said Whitney, “and he has contributed to his communities for decades. In addition to serving in the Royal Navy, Cal has served as the PBPCA’s Director of Lifecycle and Maintenance since 2015 and has volunteered for other community-minded organizations.” When asked if she thought Cal was happy about the award, Whitney said, “I think I was more thrilled for him than he was and that just speaks to Cal’s humility and devotion to serving others.”
