Cadets celebrate 40 years in Shelburne

June 11, 2015 · 0 Comments

This past weekend you may have seen older style airplanes flying over head at Greenwood Park. This was all a part of the show that was put on by the 164 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron’s 40th Annual Ceremonial Review and Reunion. Celebrating the past, present and future.
With Veterans, Legion Members, Sylvia Jones MPP, Review Officer Major Charles F. Burbank CD (Ret’d) as well as members of the public in attendance the weather held up to provide the perfect backdrop to see our local cadets celebration.
Major Charles F. Burbank, CD (Ret’d) was the reviewing officer in attendance. With a long list of accomplishments he started out as a cadet in Toronto in 1956. His natural progression of a career with the Armed Forces began in October 1956. With in excess of 25,000 hours flying in his military and civilian career he retired from the military at the age of 65, however continues to fly towplanes and gliders at Markham CFS.
The cadets put on a performance and I must say I was quite amazed at the intricate footwork and line formations they made and how they changed from one formation to another effortlessly. The re-forming cadet band also performed several songs to the delight of all in attendance.
Following this portion of the ceremony all were asked to look to the sky where there was a spectacular air show featuring a Newport, a French biplane fighter aircraft of WW1 and a Sopwith Camel, which is a British WW1 single-seat biplane fighter.
Upon completion of the air show there was a moment of reflection for D-Day then awards were handed out to 164th Squadron Cadets. A march to Town Hall followed, where Mayor Ken Bennington proclaimed Freedom of the City to the 164th Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.
A momentous occasion with a great turnout. As this year’s training and excises are coming to a close for this squadron in the next couple of weeks selected Cadets will be readying for deployment for summer training.

By Michelle Austen