A local air cadet got to shake hands with royalty.
Warrant Officer First Class Jarrod Crashley of the 7 Penhold Air Cadets, met Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex when he received the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award (DOE) during a ceremony at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary on Saturday, June 25.
“I was very excited to meet a prince, a member of the Royal Family,” Crashley said.
The DOE Award has three levels – bronze, silver, and gold, each successive one requiring more time and effort to accomplish than the last.
Crashley had to complete tasks in five separate program areas in order to get the Gold DOE Award.
These areas are service, adventurous journey, skills, physical recreation and the residential project.
“It's quite the process to do,” Crashley said. “And it's a very fun process.”
Among the many things that helped him earn the award, Crashley built his own makeshift shelter in the wilderness and participated in a food bank drive.
He also attended a cookout and numerous hikes with his squadron.
Crashley said being in cadets provided him with many opportunities to accomplish most of the requirements for the Gold DOE Award.
Recipients of the award are given a pin and then later presented with a certificate by a member of the British Royal Family when one of them is within your area.
“Some people have been waiting for five years,” Crashley said. “I'm glad I didn't have to wait that long.”
Crashley received his pin on Nov. 18, 2015. He was the only cadet from his squadron to receive the Gold DOE Award last year.
Prince Edward not only gave the certificates to the recipients but also met with them during the gala that took place after the ceremony.
“We got to talk to him,” Crashley said. “He's a very down-to-earth person, very kind.”
Crashley has also received the Penhold Community Award, the Lord Strathcona medal and the Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellence.
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, started the DOE Award in order to get youths active in their community and motivate them to set goals for themselves.
Originally founded in the United Kingdom in 1959, this awards programme has since expanded to 144 nations, including Canada.
“It was one of the best awards I've ever received,” Crashley said. “It was a very exciting and happy day.”
Warrant Officer First Class Jarrod Crashley
"I was very excited to meet a prince, a member of the Royal Family. He's a very down-to-earth person, very kind."
