545 Privateer Squadron members win awards

The 545 Privateer Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadet conducted their Annual Cadet Review on June 7 at the Milton Community Hall.

Several dignitaries were present for the review including the Reviewing Officer for 2008 Major Barry Lomond from Nfld. Rtd. CO Mr. Ralph Morton, Mr Earl Lantz – Provincial Rep, Sgt. Pierre Laporte, Area Cadet Advisor. Mrs. Vicki Conrad – Queens MLA, and representatives from the Tri Sponsor Group; Mr George Mitchell – Lions, Mr. Gary Levy – Kinsmen, Mr. Scotty Rogers – Royal Canadian Legion, Mrs Dianne Godfrey – Kinettes.

The Squadron Commanding Officer Capt. Scott Lomond was quoted as saying, “the cadet program, one of the finest organizations in Canada involving youths between the ages of 12 & 19”. The Cadet program is a partnership between the Department of National Defence and the Air Cadet League of Canada. The cadet program provides participating cadets with core values of community, citizenship, discipline and leadership skills while providing cadets with a sense of accomplishment. The motto of the air cadets stand true today “ To LEARN – To SERVE –To ADVANCE.”

This is accomplished through developing attributes of good citizenship and leadership in the cadets, promoting physical fitness.

Opportunities provided by the Cadet program are amazing. This year alone 19 members of the 545 Privateer Squadron will be participating in training camps from 2 – 7 weeks throughout the summer. The courses range from Power Pilot airplane license to Air Traffic Control duties, Survival training, Leadership, Music, & Rifle instruction.

Two of our cadet members will be employed as Staff Instructors during the summer camp program. Opportunities in the Cadet program such as these are boundless and motivate the cadets through future aspirations.

A big part of any cadet program is the community support. A tri sponsor group consisting of the Lions Club, Kinsmen and the Royal Canadian Legion provide the necessary funding for local infrastructure support. Other businesses such as Brooklyn Power Corp and Carroll’s Tri-County GM have also made generous donations to the local squadron.

This year ten awards and six service medals were presented during the Annual Cadet Review.

Awards presented included, top marksman WO2, Cody Hatt, junior dress and deportment, Cpl. Brandon Grant, senior dress and deportment, Sgt. Ben Samson, most dedicated junior cadet, Cpl. Nathan Godfrey, most dedicated senior cadet, Sgt. Jessica Montgomery, junior leadership award, Cpl. Mikayla Oickle, senior leadership award, F/Sgt. Chase Simpson, top first year cadet, cadet Jody Mitton, top junior cadet, Cpl. Jennifer Samson, top senior cadet, WO2 Cody Hatt.

Service medals went to Sgt. Nick Samson, Sgt. Ben Samson, Sgt. Jessica Montgomery, F/Cpl Jesse Oickle, F/Cpl Kellen Oickle, F/Cpl Ben Keddy, Sgt. Chris Slade and F/Cpl Thomas MacLean.