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Shelburne Free Press https://shelburnefreepress.ca/?p=8424 Export date: Tue Jul 23 8:10:24 2024 / +0000 GMT |
Squadron puts on a show as they count down to their 40th Anniversary With the beautiful weather this past weekend, 164 Shelburne Squadron hosted its 39th Annual Ceremonial Review on Saturday June 21st, 2014, after another successful training year. The cadets marched on at 1:40pm to a full building at the Shelburne Legion. Several dignitaries were Present for the event including Sylvia Jones – Dufferin Caledon MPP, Jim Gale – OPC Area Director, Captain (Retired) John Harris – OPC Representative, Constable Craig Morash of the Shelburne Police, Lesa Peat President of the Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion Branch 220, Ed Crewson – Mayor of Shelburne, Laura Ryan – Mayor of Mono, Walter Kolodziechuk – Deputy Mayor of Amaranth, a host of other Military, and Legion Representatives, as well as parents and families of the cadets. The 49 cadets on parade were very well turned out and performed their drill and ceremonial movements with a high degree of precision and professionalism. Truly demonstrating the success the squadron had this past training year. The Air Cadet training program embodies it's motto to Learn to Serve and to Advance. Cadets between the ages of 12 and 19 participate in a yearly training program that includes a focus on Aviation, Drill and Ceremonial, as well as Physical Fitness. This program exists because of a Joint Partnership between the Canadian Forces as well as the Air Cadet League; and the program is free for cadets to join. Cadets attend training centres around the country during the summer months for a variety of activities including Pilot Training. The reviewing party for this year's Annual Review consisted of the Reviewing Officer Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Stuart Beaten, The Commanding Officer of 164 Squadron – Captain Don Houle, The Squadron Warrant Officer of 164 Squadron - Warrant Officer First Class Amanda Shaw, Air Cadet Ontario Provincial Committee Representative Captain Retired John Harris, and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #220 President Lesa Peat. Throughout the ceremonies the band played and provided a cadence as well as a pleasant musical interlude to the parade. The band this year consisted of 164 Squadron's Pipes and Drums band, as well as 85 Grand Valley Squadron's Pipes and drums band. The band sounded magnificent and was enjoyed by the audience. Following the inspection of the parade by the reviewing party, the squadron conducted a series of exhibition displays including an Air Rifle Marksmanship demonstration, A Drill team demonstration, as well as a Band Demonstration. The Air Rifle Marksmanship demonstration consisted of a fascinating simulation of a rifle competition and including the movements and commands required to demonstrate the precision of the cadets for such a competition. The crowd enjoyed the demonstration and provide the cadets with applause. The second display being the Squadron Drill Team presentation demonstrated formational drill with an extreme level of expertise and skill. The Team commanded by Flight Sergeant Tim Dearsley and Coached by 2nd Lieutenant Mike Bentley, showed what a highly disciplined and well coached group of cadets could do. The demonstration was well received and the silent drill routine choreographed to music was truly sensational, resulting in an explosion of applause from the audience. The final display demonstration was from the joint band of 164 Squadron and 85 Squadron. The band was led by Drum Major Mary Bentley of 164 Squadron. This brief demonstration showed the beauty of a band and the power of the pipes and drums. The band played several pieces including a solo by a Piper from 85 Squadron – Corporal Kelly, who showed the crowd the versatility of the Pipes. Corporal Kelly seamlessly meshed his solo with Flight Corporal Gillan as they concluded the demonstration with the playing of Amazing Grace. A job very well done! The time finally arrived for which all the cadets on parade were waiting for…that is the Annual Awards. Many cadets were recognized this year with the following awards recipients: • Best Recruit Male: Cadet Nick Miles, Presented by the Deputy Mayor Amaranth • Best Recruit Female: Cadet Emma Pugsley, Presented by Glen Morrison • Best Dressed Male: Sgt Kevin Dearsley, Presented by Mr. R. Black •Best Dressed Female: F/Sgt Shealyn Amiro, Presented by Capt Gerry Giehler on behalf of Len Guchardi • Most Improved Cadet: F/Sgt Kevin Stinson, Presented by Laura Ryan – Mayor of Mono on behalf of Ben and Val Brown • Initiative Award: Cadet Jamianne Amiro, Presented by Lesa Peat on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 220 • Air Rifle Marksmanship WO2: Bailey Amiro, Presented by Steve Pettit • Most Improved Pipers: Cadet Kristian Merchand, Cadet Gabrielle Peipp, Cadet Emma Pugsley, Presented by Wayne Orvis • Most Improved Drummer: F/Cpl Daire Bowler, Presented by Mr & Mrs. Al Ash • Most Enthusiastic Cadet: Sgt Kaitlynn Osmond-Clark, WO2 Christina Bentley, Presented by Mr. Reg Anderson • Best LAC Award: Cadet Emma Hunter, Presented by Mr. Caravaggio on behalf of Caravaggio Pharmacy of Shelburne • Junior NCO Award: Sgt Konrad Kaczor, Presented by Capt Lynn Allison on behalf of Mark Carrington Memorial • Senior NCO Award: F/Sgt Tim Dearsley, Presented by LCol Beaten on behalf of Shelburne Storage • Drill Award: The Delta Darts – Given to Sgt Kaitlynn Osmond-Clark, Jim Gale on behalf of 164 • Sports Award: Flight C “The Champions” Given to – F/Sgt Shealynn Amiro, Presented by Dr. John Taylor & • Flying Scholarship Award: F/Sgt Shealynn Amiro, Presented by Mary Hardick • Aviation Careers Award: F/Sgt Tim Dearsley, Presented by Erin Platt on behalf of the Platt Family • Dixon Award: WO2 Christianna Bentley, Presented by Janet Dixon on behalf of the Dixon Family • CO's Award: WO2 Bailey Amiro, Presented by Capt Don Houle • Legion Medal of Excellence: WO2 Bailey Amiro, Presented by Lesa Peat on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 220 • Effecitve Speaking Area Champion – $100: F/Sgt Shaelynn Amiro, Jim Gale of behalf of OPC Retiring at the ripe old age of 19, the following cadets have completed their tenure in the Air Cadet Program and are off to post-secondary education in the new school year: WO2 Christianna Bentley who is off to College to become a Cook WO2 Bailey Amiro who will be attending Sheridan College in Oakville to become a Child Youth Worker WO1 Amanda Shaw who is off to the University of Guelph Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Beaton addressed the cadets and spoke very highly of the skill and performance that was delivered by the cadets and staff of 164 Squadron. Captain (Retired) John Harris spoke on behalf of the Air Cadet League – Ontario Provincial Committee and thanked all the members in the Squadron. He recognized the unique partnership between the Canadian Forces, the Local Sponsors (The Shelburne Legion, the Sponsoring Committee overseen by Mr. Nigel Dearsley, and the Parents Committee overseen by Mr. Kevin Bowler), as well as the Air Cadet League of Canada. MPP Sylvia Jones also addressed the cadets and reminded them to recognize and thank all those people that help them succeed in all of their ventures. The final words for the Parade came from the Commanding Officer of 164 Squadron – Captain Don Houle. He thanked the staff, sponsoring committee, parents committee and the many volunteers that contribute to the success of this cadet program. He reemphasized that the success of the squadron depended heavily on the support of these many volunteers, while also recognizing the many achievements of the cadets. The ceremony concluded with the playing of “O” Canada and the departure of the reviewing party. The formal part of the ceremonies were then followed up with a meet and mingle session complete with refreshments and finger foods. The day was a huge success and one that 164 Squadron's staff and cadets can be very proud of, as they build towards their 40th Anniversary next year! Are you interested in finding out more about becoming a cadet or volunteering with the unit? Often Deemed as Canada's Best Kept Secret; this Youth program is free to join and offers a variety of challenging and life changing opportunities not provided by any other program…where else can you join a marching band, compete in rifle and biathlon competitions, soar with the eagles in a glider, obtain your glider or power pilot's license, learn about aviation careers including aircraft maintenance or airport operations, and get paid while doing it! You can visit www.cadets.ca for more information about the program and contact Captain Don Houle at 519 925-6621 or by e-mail at don.houle@cadets.gc.ca By Cpt. Chris Luxemburger |
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Post date: 2014-07-10 09:11:56 Post date GMT: 2014-07-10 13:11:56 Post modified date: 2014-07-16 17:37:08 Post modified date GMT: 2014-07-16 21:37:08 |
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