A Vernon resident has been recognized for reuniting two youth with their families.
Scott Anderson, a captain in the Canadian Armed Forces reserves, was recently awarded the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation for a 2014 incident.
Anderson initially saw a call for help from some parents on social media, pleading for information on the whereabouts of their two teenage daughters. Because of his training as a public affairs officer, he offered to write and issue a news release on behalf of the families.
“As a parent, I understood their anguish and wanted to help,” said Anderson, who is a Vernon city councillor.
“I had a skill and contacts within regional media, so I put that knowledge to work to leverage awareness of the situation.”
Within a few minutes of the news release being issued, media contacted the families and the story picked up national news coverage. The two teens were soon found in a different province and reunited with their families.
“I’m proud to receive this commendation, but I don’t see my actions as in any way heroic. I simply did what anyone else in my position would do, try to help,” said Anderson.
Anderson is currently a member of the Public Affairs Branch Primary Reserve, and has served in the Canadian Armed Forces since 2008.