Summerland’s 902 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron held their 28th Annual Ceremonial Review on June 10 at the Summerland Arena.
The 20 cadets on parade were inspected by the reviewing party consisting of Reviewing Officer, Cpl. Chris Richardson of the Summerland RCMP, Michael Symons, Air Cadet League Representative, Capt. William Berge, Commanding Officer of 902 RCACS, Warrant Officer Dan Bodden, Air Cadet Advisor from Victoria, and Mandy Smith, 902 RCACS Sponsoring Society Chair.
Richardson presented the Lord Strathcona Medal to Sgt. Dawson Burdick.
The Lord Strathcona Medal is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a cadet in recognition of exemplary performance in physical and military training.
Other awards presented were:
• Best First Year Cadet to LAC Kira Nilson
• Best Second Year Cadet to Cpl Seth Jones
• Best Third Year Cadet to Cpl Blythe McKelvie
• Best Fourth Year Cadet to Sgt Matthew Smith
• Citizenship Award to Cpl Gavin Maslowski
• Leadership Award to Sgt Kaeden Seiter
• Best Junior NCO to FCpl Jillian Dierickse
• Most Improved Cadet to Cpl Ethan Barrett
• Most Improved NCO to Cpl Samantha Catellier
• Best Attendance to FSgt Lara Desjarlais and Sgt Matthew Smith
• Top Shot to FCpl Justina Durand
Top Cadet to Sgt Kaeden Seiter
The cadets have had a busy training year.
In addition to their regular training nights, they have participated in many community events including the Remembrance Day Parade, cleanups and the Christmas party at the Summerland Legion, the Festival of Lights, VE Day Commemoration, Kiwanis activities and many others.
The squadron will be taking a break from their activities for the summer.
Eleven cadets from the squadron will be attending Summer Training Centres in Victoria, Cold Lake, and Vernon.
Sgt. Kaeden Seiter will be attending the six week Advanced Aviation Technology Aircraft Maintenance course in North Bay, Ont..
The objectives of the air cadet program are to provide good citizenship and leadership training, provide physical fitness training, and to stimulate interest in the Canadian Forces, should they so choose to join.
All youth between the ages of 12 and 18 are welcome to join the squadron when they start up again on September 5.
The squadron parades at the Harold Simpson Memorial Youth Centre, 9111 Peach Orchard Rd.
