Local Air Cadets from 581 RCACS (Castlegar) participated in their Annual Ceremonial Review on June 13 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 170 in Castlegar.
The Annual Ceremonial Review (ACR) is the final formal event of the year for the cadets, prior to them departing for various summer training centres throughout western Canada. On the parade, several prestigious awards and presentations are handed out, acknowledging the hard work and perseverance of local youth in the Canadian cadet movement.
This year, there were 10 cadets on parade. The cadets lead the parade in its entirety, and those chosen for the leadership positions spend several weeks learning and memorizing the commands in advance of the parade. The Reviewing Officer for this year’s ACR was Legion Branch 170 president, Dean Burdeyny.
“The cadets looked fantastic on parade today,” said Burdeyny, “I’m so impressed with how well they did!”
Included in the ceremony were presentations of awards and promotions.
The following awards and promotions were handed out at the parade:
Promoted to corporal – Corporal Garnet Bettger
Top Attendance with 92% – Corporal Matteus Duarte
Top Junior Cadet – Corporal Xylar Guerin
Top Senior Cadet – Corporal Golson Menard
Most Improved Cadet – Flight Corporal Easton Laren
Lord Strathcona Medal – Corporal Golson Menard
581 Castlegar RCACS regularly meets on Tuesday evenings from September through June, and welcomes new members throughout the year. The squadron hopes to begin using their building again this coming September, following a leaky roof which lead to extensive water damage. Repairs are underway in the building, located at 216 8th Ave in Castlegar.
The Cadet program, which includes Sea, Army and Air Cadets, is the largest government funded youth program in Canada with over 50,000 participants across Canada. The cadet program 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.
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