MP Albas presented Merritt Fire Rescue Chaplain Sherry Peterson with the King Charles III Coronation Medal (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

Coronation Medals

Merritt’s Sherry Peterson awarded King Charles III Coronation medal for unwavering community service

Jan 29, 2025 | 4:41 PM

MERRITT, B.C. —Throughout Canada, the backbones of their communities have been getting honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal. In Kamloops, people such as 104-year-old WWII veteran John Kuharski, Centre for Seniors Information’s Brenda Prevost, local lawyer Bill Sundhu and many others have been recognized by MLA Peter Milobar, former MLA Todd Stone and MP Frank Caputo. On Wednesday (Jan. 29) is was Merritt’s turn to properly highlight the work of one of its own in a surprise ceremony.

“We are honouring Sherry Peterson today with this amazing medal for the service that she has done for the community,” announced Merritt’s Mayor Mike Goetz. “We kind of pulled a fast one on her today. This could not go to a better person.”

“I just thought I was helping out a friend,” explained Peterson describing how she was convinced to be at the fire hall on Wednesday afternoon.

That turned out to be a little white lie, but truly exemplifies the selflessness and dedication of Peterson, some of the countless reasons she was presented with King Charles III Coronation Medal from Central-Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola MP Dan Albas.

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“For your outstanding service to your community and your country,” said Albas as he pinned the medal onto Peterson’s lapel.

“I was literally thanking God this morning for the doors he has opened in my world that I didn’t think that I would see. This is yet another door that I didn’t expect, but obviously he goes before me. And by his strength and wisdom I will continue, because I get to see people coming through horrible situations and see the redeeming hope in their eyes,” Peterson told CJFC News.

Peterson has served as Merritt Fire Rescue’s chaplain for more than 15 years, joining what she calls a family after near tragedy of her own.

“It was spellbinding to see the kind of dedication that this family had for one another in times of struggle. When it came to me, ‘Sherry, would you consider serving as chaplain?’ I said this has been my forever family. They protected my (retired Merritt firefighter) husband on fire ground, they saved my son and I will gladly serve at your side to bring spiritually emotional care to this team because you will forever be in my heart,” said Peterson.

But it’s not just the work Peterson has done within the hall that made her so deserving. She flew into action during the Lytton wildfire of 2021.

“I grabbed my badge and ran out the door. And I remember other people looking at me like, ‘Why are you here?’ I said, ‘I’m serving. This is what I was credited and asked to do, and agreed to,'” said Peterson. “I stayed there and did my best to support individuals coming in and to be an extra psycho-social support for the ESS team, because they were working so hard under extraordinary conditions.”

Peterson is also the reason that Samaritan’s Purse operated supporting Merritt residents longer than originally intended following the November 2021 floods.

“I live in the community. I’m not going to stop being a Merrittonian. And if there is room for me to reprise that role or serve in another way that will strengthen and benefit this community in the long term, I’m in,” stated Peterson.