Community celebrated Air Cadets Annual Ceremonial Review
By Contributor
The cadets, staff and sponsor of 561 Nelson Osprey Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron held their Annual Ceremonial Review recently. The 19 cadets were inspected by Roland Krueger, the Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of 39 Brigade, which is the parent unit of the local Canadian Armed Forces Reserve unit, the 44th Filed Engineer Squadron in Trail.
“It was an amazing pleasure to be the Reviewing Officer for 561 this year,” said HLCol Roland Krueger, Reviewing Officer. “The cadets hard work and enjoyment of the program show in everything they have showed me tonight.”
During the evening, serval cadets received awards for their work in the squadron this year.
- Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence – WO2 Jasper Taylor
- Top First Year – Lt Sinclair Award Rookie of the Year – LAC Elias Hibberson
- Ethan Andrew White Memorial Award – LAC Caiden Thompson and – LAC Che Steffler
- Best Shot – Nelson Rotary Club Trophy – LAC Chiara Minchin
- Best Drill – Cpl Carson Van Horne
- Top Athlete – Nelson Legion #51 Award – LAC Yael Oosthuizen
- Best Dress – Nelson Police Association – LAC Nathan Gaffran
- Best Attendance – LAC Kai Thompson
- Volunteer Commitment
- Major S Jenkinson Memorial Award for Community Service – F/Cpl Matthew Bullen
- Squadron Aviator – WO2 Jasper Taylor
- Top Cadet -Bank of Montreal Trophy – WO2 Jasper Taylor
The Nelson and Salmo Legions also presented the squadron with cheques to help in the operation of the cadet program.
Also in attendance were representatives on Air Cadet League of BC, City of Nelson, Nelson Eagles, Nelson Lions and the Nelson Police Department. There were also 4 former Commanding Officers of 561 as well as family and friends of the cadets
This is one of the last events of the 2016-17 training year for the squadron. During this year, the cadets when flying 3 times, went to Calgary, experience outdoor survival in Trail and went to a weekend of Sports in Castlegar.
Over the summer several cadets will be attending Summer Training Courses in Victoria, Vernon and Cold Lake, AB.
The squadron also said goodbye to four of its adult staff. Lt Jade Hoglund will be working with Trail Squadron next year. Civilian Instructor Dylan Murphy will be attending University next year. Civilian Instructor Rachael Smith and Volunteer Instructor James Fairhurst are leaving the area. This leaves 561 with only 2 adult staff for next year.
The 2017-18 training year will start on September 6, 2017. All Nelson, Salmo, West Arm, Crescent Valley and area youth between the ages of 12 and 18 are invited to join the squadron for a low cost and exciting experience.
The squadron is also looking for new staff members to assist with the administration, training and supervision of cadets. Adults aged 19-55 who are interested in providing a dynamic, structured and engaging program to youth in Nelson and area are encouraged to contact Major Kevin DeBiasio at kevin.debiasio@cadets.gc.ca for more information.
“This concludes another great year for 561 Squadron,” said Major Kevin DeBiasio, Commanding Officer, 561 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets. “We are hoping for next year to be even better.”
Quick Facts
- The Royal Canadian Sea, Army and Air Cadets are national programs for youth ages 12 to18, which aim to develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership, promote physical fitness and stimulate the interest of youth in sea, land and air activities of the Canadian Armed Forces. The programs are community based and require local adult leaders in order to be successful.
- CIC Officers are dedicated members of the community who work with youth in their spare time by providing them with a dynamic and structured program. Training and pay are provided but CIC Officers are not required to deploy overseas or be operational members of the Canadian Armed Forces. They are community youth leaders, making a difference at home.
Photo Caption: Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence went to WO2 Jasper Taylor.
