The 835 Griffin Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron conducted their annual Ceremonial Review to end their training year at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park on May 30. Squamish Fire Chief Bill Stoner accepted the invitation to be the Reviewing Officer and gave the cadets a short motivational speech after inspecting the cadets and helping present the awards.
The cadets were excited as they prepared their static displays before marching into the Roundhouse with the backdrop of the mountains behind them. They paraded to an audience of parents and officials from both the Air Cadet League of Canada and the Department of National Defence, who work in partnership to deliver the cadet program to youth aged 12 to 18.
Displays ranging from survival in the wilderness to flying to rifle drill and public speaking were all designed and implemented by the cadets. These reflect a few of the skills the cadets have learned this year in a program that focuses on leadership, citizenship and physical fitness.
“Squamish cadets are known through the Lower Mainland for their enthusiasm,” says Commanding Officer Capt. Angela Sargent. “When we went gliding recently, more cadets came than could possibly fly in the time. They just wanted to help and be part of the atmosphere. In the end, the ground crew worked hard and everyone went both gliding and flying.”
Some of the cadets will be attending summer training at centres across Canada in a few weeks and senior cadets have the chance to work as staff cadets at theses centres. For many it is a chance to earn money for school, but for all it is an opportunity to learn leadership and management skills to help them with their future.
The 835 Griffin Air Cadets meet each Tuesday starting in September at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. There is always more room for enthusiastic youth, says Sargent.
To find out more about the program visit
www.cadets.ca.
