TISDALE — It was the culmination of a year’s worth of training.
The #624 Tisdale Air Cadets held their annual ceremonial review at the airport June 6, where cadets were recognized for their hard work and received their promotions.
“I’m very proud of the cadets we have,” said Cpt. Scott Stuart, the squadron’s commanding officer.
For Warrant Officer Second Class Ryan Cresswell and Flight Sergeant Walker Perry, it was their last year as cadets. Both joined five years ago, Cresswell encouraged to do so from a former cadet and Perry by former commanding officer Connie Wilson. They both liked it and stuck around.
“It teaches you lots of life skills and stuff that you can go and use for the rest of your life,” Perry said. “You go on campouts and learn how to survive by yourself.”
He added it’s also a chance to get flying lessons for free.
“Join air cadets because you can meet a lot of new people from across Western Canada and some from Eastern if you go to the right camps,” Cresswell said. “You can meet a lot of new people, just even in your own community.”
The cadets advised those they’re leaving behind to try their best, stick it out through the rough times because there’s also good times, and to go to a summer camp.
Stuart also gave them some advice.
“I’ve charged them to live fulfilling lives and to seek out challenges,” he said. “I hope they get to do that and I think cadets is a program that affords them a leg up on life to give them the necessary skills to be real successes in the community, in whatever endeavours or occupations they pursue.”
Inspecting the squadron was Cpt. Peter Musters, who flew in with a military helicopter.
“Pete Musters and I go back to since he was a cadet and I was a cadet,” Stuart said. “We were in the same squadron in #844 Huntsville,” he said. He’s a phenomenally good example to the cadets of the opportunities that the cadet program gave him, culminating in his becoming a helicopter pilot.”
This is the last year Stuart is the commanding officer of the squadron.
“There’s always mixed feelings because you grow with these cadets, you see them develop, and you work with your staff and the program,” he said. “It becomes near and dear to your heart. I’ve invested a lot of time away from family in order to help other people’s families.”
Stuart said he’s sad, but also confident the cadets will maintain the program and do well in the future.
Awards
Top first year cadet: Joseph Whiting
Top second year cadet: Nathan Ellingson
Top third year cadet: Rachael Benjamin
Top fourth year cadet: Nathaniel Lewis
Top uniform: Ryan Cresswell
Morgan Phillips memorial award most improved cadet: Cody Erickson
Commanding officer’s award: Ryan Cresswell
Wilson Family award for esprit de corps: Kade Aseltine
RCMP top junior cadet marksmanship: Sam Benjamin
RCMP top senior cadet marksmanship: Anna Nahosha
Ray Baumgartner memorial award for citizenship: Walker Perry
