The 7 Penhold Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron has celebrated its time honoured annual review with a promise to look forward to a memorable season next year.
The squadron and its 31 young cadets hosted its 2016 Annual Cadet Review at Hanger 6 in Springbrook on June 11. More than 100 parents and supporters attended to witness nearly three quarters of a century of military tradition for the young, who spent many long hours fine-tuning everything they learned since the previous September.
“It is a very big ceremony for these kids. This is a graduation for them,” said Lt. Jolyne Crashley, deputy commanding officer of the squadron, adding up to 15 cadets are heading to camp this summer. “They are working very hard to practise for this. This is their day to show off the skills and abilities they have learned. Their boots and uniforms are spotless and drill is on time and amazing.”
Just as importantly, the squadron will be celebrating its 75th anniversary on Sept. 9. It is the oldest air cadet unit in Alberta, and the milestone will be marked for the entire 2016-17 season.
“We are going to make it a momentous year as opposed to one event,” said Crashley. “We are going to take every moment we can to celebrate that we are 75, and that it is a key year for Penhold.”
This year's 74th Annual Cadet Review began with the arrival of Reviewing Officer Const. Victor Tam, a former air cadet and current Penhold peace officer, and commanding officer Capt. Stefn Dodman. That was followed by a General Salute and the playing of O Canada. The appreciative audience then witnessed the Inspection of the Cadets and the March Past, which was followed by an awards presentation and speeches. The annual review ended with the General Salute, the playing of the Royal Anthem (God Save the Queen) and the departure of the reviewing officer.
Ed MacPherson and Ed Bukowski, both executive members of the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion, were on hand for the event, with the latter presenting the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence to Flight Sergeant Tyson Frere.
“It is something I look forward to. I think the cadets are a great organization,” said MacPherson. “It gives kids confidence. It builds them up. It really prepares them for their next life.”
Bukowski added the organization, which lost its Air Cadet Summer Training Centre in 2014 after 48 years, continues to play a vital role for the region's youth and will remain part of the community for quite some time yet.
“As far as I know they are still staying here. They got a working relationship with the new people that took over the hangar,” said Bukowski. “They are going to stay here for the foreseeable future.”
Meanwhile, the awards that were handed out are as follows:
Top level 1 – Leading Air Cadet Thomas Gilks
Top Level 2 – Corporal Jarrid Kowalenko
Top Level 3 – Flight Corporal Nolan Wolfe
Top Level 5 – Warrant Officer 2nd class Brett Bailey
Top Rookie – Leading Air Cadet Wyatt Beaudion
Most Improved – Flight Sergeant Brandon LaLonde
Top Junior – Flight Corporal Nolan Wolfe
Top Senior – Warrant Officer 1st Class Jarrod Crashley
Top Marksmanship – Warrant Officer 1st Class Jarrod Crashley
Royal Canadian Air Force Top Cadet – Warrant Officer 2nd Class Brett Bailey
Sport and Fitness top Cadet – Warrant Officer 1st Class Jarrod Crashley
Esprit de Corps – Warrant Officer 2nd Class Brett Bailey
Citizenship Award – Leading Air Cadet Thomas Gilks
Ground School top marks – Flight Sergeant Mason Ribiero
Honour Roll -- Flight Sergeant Derek Penman and Warrant Officer 1st Class Jarrod Crashley
Captain Reg Shewchuk CD award -- Warrant Officer 1st Class Jarrod Crashley
Lord Strathcona Medal – Warrant officer 2nd Class Brett Bailey
Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence – Flight Sergeant Tyson Frere
Lt. Jolyne Crashley, deputy commanding officer
"We are going to make it a momentous year as opposed to one event. We are going to take every moment we can to celebrate that we are 75 and that it is a key year for Penhold."
