Eighteen members of 893 Beaufort Royal Canadian Air Cadets paraded in an annual review ceremony on Saturday, May 14 at the Qualicum and District Curling Rink.
The squadron paraded before reviewing officer City of Parksville Acting Mayor Chris Burger, a former air cadet of the squadron when it was founded 29 years ago.
The public, parents and friends were invited to view the ceremony that completes the local training year.
Trophies and medals were presented to the most proficient cadets, including the Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellence to Warrant Officer Second Class Eric Hiltz and the Lord Strathcona Medal to Sergeant Christopher Eckert.
The cadet unit is commanded by Capt. Elizabeth Reid, who is assisted by training staff Capt. Reginald Johanson, Capt. Rob Schnider, and Lt. John Archer.
The cadet parade commander for Saturday’s parade was cadet Warrant Officer Second Class Eric Hiltz
In addition to the reviewing officer, the inspecting party included Maj Richard Mudryk from Pacific Region Cadet Support Unit, Victoria; Mike Simons of the Air Cadet League of Canada, and the chair of the local sponsoring committee, Nicole Bancov.
The event included demonstrations planned and organized by the cadets themselves, including a combined biathlon and first aid scenario. Static displays also showed the cadets involvement in survival, first aid, effective speaking, aviation, and general cadet training.
Cadets will be selected to attend summer training this year. Two cadets, Sgt. Christopher Eckert and Sgt. Justin DeRooy have already been awarded the Glider Scholarship Program and will attend the Regional Gliding Instruction School at Comox to earn their air cadet glider pilot wings.
For further information contact Capt Elizabeth Reid, Tel. 250-752-5382 or Elizabeth.Reid@cadets.gc.ca.
— Air Cadet League of Canada