Nova Scotia is honouring the memory of Sgt. Kenneth James Power, a Royal Canadian Air Force search and rescue technician, by naming a brook in Cape Breton Regional Municipality after him.
The brook, which until now was unnamed, flows between Munroe Lake and Lake Uist in the Enon area is now the Ken Power Brook. It is about 55 kilometres west of Sydney.
Energy Minister Michel Samson, on behalf of Premier Stephen McNeil, who is also Minister responsible for Military Relations, made the announcement today, June 18.
“Nova Scotia is saying thank you to a decorated military veteran for his distinguished and exemplary service to Canadians,” said Mr. Samson. “Commemorative name changes are community-driven and I am really pleased so many people came together to make this happen.”
Sgt. Power, who was born in New Waterford, was a 35-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force. He served 25 years as an operational search and rescue technician on bases from Gander, N.L. to Comox, B.C., logging more than 8,200 flying hours during his career.
He was awarded the Star of Courage by Gov. Gen. Romeo LeBlanc for a harrowing rescue of four sailors off Sable Island. He also received the Medal of Bravery from Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson for a risky, flare-illuminated nighttime rescue in northern Quebec of two men who had crashed their light plane.
The idea to name the brook came from Sgt. Power’s brother, Ray Stapleton, who applied to the provincial place names program, which looks after naming geographical features commemorating Nova Scotians who demonstrated outstanding significance to the province.
“My brother wasn’t one to speak about his heroic exploits or the tremendous burden placed on him and his family,” said Mr. Stapleton. “We are here to honour his memory and the contribution he made to his country. We, his family, take great pride in having this brook named in his honour.”
Source: Release