NELSON SEA CADET OFFICER RECIEVES MEDAL
By Contributor
Sub Lieutenant Mary Forturn of 81 Hampton Gray VC (Nelson), Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corp recently was presented by Major Kevin DeBiasio with her Canadian Decoration.
The Canadian Decoration recognizes 12 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces.
SLt Forturn started her cadet career as a Sea Cadet in Trail. She has been working with the Nelson Sea Cadet Corp since 2001.
SLt Forturn is a member of the CIC (Cadet Instructor Cadre) branch of the Canadian Armed Forces. Members of the CIC are part time members of the Canadian Armed Forces and volunteer their time to help the youth in their local community.
81 Hampton Gray meets every Tuesday night during the school year and during the summer the Cadets have the opportunity to attend summer courses at various training locations across Canada.
81 Hampton Gray VC RCSCC is named for Lt. Robert Hampton “Hammy” Gray VC, DSC. Gray was born in Trail, BC, but resided in Nelson from an early age.
Gray was one of the last Canadians to die during World War II, and was the last Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross. The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour “in the face of the enemy” to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories
The Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, in partnership with the Navy League of Canada and the Department of National Defence has been training youth in Canada for over 100 years.
The Cadets are the largest government funded youth program in Canada with over 50,000 participants across Canada. The Royal Canadian Sea Cadets accepts youth between the ages of 12-18 who have a desire to learn more about the sea 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.
Locally, there are Sea Cadet Corps in Trail and Nelson.
Photo Caption: Major Kevin DeBiasio presents Sub Lieutenant Mary Forturn of 81 Hampton Gray VC (Nelson) with her Canadian Decoration. — Submitted photo
