Chatham's I.O.D.E chapter is honouring a local police officer with the Community Service/Humanitarian Award.
Constable John Hicks is in his 26th year of policing and has also taken on peacekeeping tours in Kosovo and Cyprus, and missionary work in Honduras and India.
"Certainly a period of adjustment when you come home and a chance to reflect on what you've done and you've made a positive difference in the people that you've met," says Hicks. "I was affected by how people are coping, certainly, with the stress of war. Some of them losing loved ones. You can't help but be grateful for the great country of Canada when we come home."
Locally, Hicks helps out with organizations including East Side Pride and Outreach For Hunger.