A total 33 Cadets were on parade demonstrating spectacular drill, impeccable dress, and outstanding deportment, as part of their Annual Cadet Review at The Fort Chippewa Barracks back on June 15.
This event signifies the end of another successful training year and provides the ideal setting to recognize the many cadets who demonstrated the highest caliber skills, dedication, leadership, commitment, and citizenship throughout the past year of training.
“What a fantastic end to an amazing training year! This group of young adults has grown so much through many diverse training opportunities this year,"Capt Amanda Johnson, CD, Commanding Officer in a release.
"We have also doubled our enrolment since last year, so they are obviously enjoying the program. Everyone is also looking forward to our historical battlefield trip to Europe in March. I cannot wait to share that experience with these incredible cadets. They have come so far, which was demonstrated today with their impressive performance on parade. I am so proud of each of them."
Cadet Warrant Officer Hansen was awarded the Legion Medal of Excellence for outstanding citizenship and contribution to the community while Master Warrant Officer Townson was honoured with the Lord Strathcona Medal for her leadership, fitness and dedication. It was a special moment for our Reviewing Officer Major (Retired) Barry Lachance, CD as he presented Warrant Officer Hansen with the Marksmanship Award. The Major was presented with the same award as a young Cadet upon the award’s creation.
“When I first joined cadets, I wasn’t sure I wanted to. I was anxious and it didn’t seem like ‘my thing,'" recalled WO Hanson.
"My first day, I didn’t want to go back because of the anxiety. Now, I am accepting the Legion Medal of Excellence after four years of being committed to the program. The person I am today is because of cadets, and it has forever shaped who I will become. Ne-kah-ne-tah.”
The Cadet Program offers a variety of dynamic training and experiential opportunities to local youth between the ages of 12 and 18, developing in them transferable, career-enhancing skills that will last them a lifetime.
For more information about the 204 Algonquin Army Cadet Corps., go to Facebook: 204 North Bay Algonquin Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps. or visit their website at www.204armycadets.com.
