Cadets with the 583 Coronation Squadron demonstrated their skills at the 72nd Annual Ceremonial Review.
Around 100 cadets took part in the Saturday, May 9, event at Garibaldi Secondary School.
Leadership and teamwork skills were demonstrated by the cadets, in addition to showcasing formal military parade protocol with a march past and inspection for the Reviewing Officer.
Other activities that the cadets have learned were also highlighted, like this year’s dynamic displays which included the band, the top effective speaking candidate, and the squadron’s drill team, explained Chien Han, chair of the squadron’s sponsoring committee.
The cadets showed off their skills in front of around 200 parents, in addition to 20 special guests including: Reviewing Officer and Acting Detachment Commander, Maple Ridge RCMP, Inspector Martin Guay.
Squadron alumni also attended to support the squadron.
Several past Cadet Squadron Commanders were present, including: Lt. Nathan Pearson, now of 39 Combat Engineer Regiment; Bidan Chhetri, a King Charles III medal recipient; and Blake Breen-McCausland, a recently published author.
Commanding Officer, Captain Thomas Middelveen, received the 3rd Clasp to the Canadian Forces Decoration, for 42 years of distinguished service in the Canadian Forces.
Cadet Warrant Officer 2nd Class Mark Szucs received the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence.
And Cadet Flight Sergeant Sierra Halstead received the Lord Strathcona Medal.
“The Annual Ceremonial Review is held as a culmination of the year’s training. It showcases the cadets’ skill in front of the community in the form of a formal military parade, is part of the cadets formal training, and is one of the requirements for the cadets to move onto their next training level as they build the different skills in Cadets Leading Cadets,” said Han.
583 Coronation Squadron’s Official Charter is dated 6th November 1953 and the first parade was held on the 26th November 1953, Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation year – which the squadron was named after.
The squadron is active from September to June, and meets each Thursday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Albion Fairgrounds, 23448 Jim Robson Way, Maple Ridge.
All youth aged 12 to 18 years are welcome to join this youth-oriented program.
Anyone interested can drop by and talk with the officers or cadets about the Air Cadet Program.
Or, for more information call: 604-463-9388, or email: 583air@cadets.gc.ca.