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Air Cadets 62nd annual ceremonial review

The 581 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets in Castlegar held its 62nd annual ceremonial review at the Castlegar complex.
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Castlegar cadets stand at attention for inspection.

Submitted to the Castlegar News

The 581 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets in Castlegar held its 62nd annual ceremonial review at the Castlegar complex.

The event, which included the change of command, was held June 4.

The Reviewing Officer for the parade was Commander Andrew Muir, the Commanding Officer of the Regional Cadet Support Unit (Pacific) in Victoria.

During the parade, the cadets demonstrated their skills in First-Aid, Rifle Drill and Effective Speaking and two cadets were presented medals.  F/Sgt Naima Notarstefano was presented with the Lord Strathcona Medal.  Sgt Shjon MacDonald received the Legion Medal of Excellence.

After the parade, displays were set up that showed the activities the cadets participated in during the 2014-2015 training year.  The displays included Gliding, Range and Survival.

At the dinner following the parade, the following cadets received awards:

Most Proficient Sr.    WO2 C. Fergie & Sgt M. Ismay

Most Proficient Jr.                    F/Cpl T. Veilleux

Most Improved Cadet        Cpl J. Colley

Fellowship Award                  Sgt S. MacDonald

Male Rookie                      LAC M. Silva

Female Rookie           LAC D. Kaiser

Dress & Deportment Sr.       WO2 C. Fergie

Dress & Deportment Jr F/Cpl. C. Dunlop & Cpl Z. McLachlan

Best Attendance                    Sgt S. MacDonald

CO’s Award                         F/Cpl S. Illes

Community Service Award       Cpl. T. McLachlan & Cpl Z. McLachlan

Best Rifle                                Cpl J. Colley

Best Marksmanship                F/Cpl S. Illes

During the change of command, Captain Jean Lundquist turned over command of the Squadron to Captain Gerry Rempel.

Captain Rempel returns to 581 after seven years working the Air Cadet Squadron in Nelson.

Captain Lindquist will retire from Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) and remain with 581 as a Civilian Instructor.

CIC officers like Captain Lundquist and Captain Rempel are members of the local community who volunteer to be part time members of the Canadian Armed Forces and help the youth in their community.

The Change of Command was presided over by Commander Andrew Muir, the Commanding Officer of the Regional Cadet Support Unit (Pacific) in Victoria.

The 2015-2016 training year will start in September and all area youth between the ages of 12 and 18 invited to join.

The Royal Canadian Air Cadets, in partnership with the Air Cadet League of Canada and the Department of National Defence has been training youth in Canada for over 70 years.

The Cadets are the largest government funded youth program in Canada with over 50,000 participants across Canada.

The Royal Canadian Air Cadets accepts youth between the ages of 12-18 who have a desire to learn more about the air element of the Canadian Forces, wish to develop the attributes of leadership and good citizenship and who wish to promote physical fitness.

While the program is military based, there is no obligation for a cadet to join the Canadian Armed Forces when he or she finishes their cadet career.

Cadets are also encouraged to learn more about opportunities within Canada’s Aviation Industry.

For more information about 581 Castlegar Squadron, email gerry.rempel@cadets.gc.ca

For more information on the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, please visit www.cadets.ca.

For more information about the Air Cadet League of Canada, please visit www.aircadetleague.com.