When the cadets of 2901 Estevan (Elks) PPCLI Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps invited the commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, to act as their reviewing officer, he was in Resolute Bay, Nunavut.
But LCol. Jay MacKeen, a former cadet himself, felt it was an important enough event to make the trip, bringing the officer commanding of “C” Company, Maj. Christopher Hartwick, with him.
In his address to the cadets at their annual ceremonial review on Tuesday, he spoke of how cadets has been important to many, including himself, in their lives, going forward.
The annual ceremonial review is the final event of the year, however, the cadets will still be meeting for several weeks in May, and on their last parade, hold a sunset ceremony when the band will play again.
The parade took place at the Power Dodge Curling Centre, and included a marchpast, inspection and performance by the corps’ pipe and drum band. Their performance included Scotland the Brave and Amazing Grace. Those not in the band paraded with drill-purpose (deactivated) rifles, and performed rifle drill.
Numerous awards were presented. Sgt. Darson Gunnlaugson received the Best Cadet Award, as well as Most All-Around Athlete. Sgt. Owen Gudmunson was presented with the Fred Slater Memorial Trophy, Most Sportsman-like, and Best Overall Shooter.
Cpl. Saber Dodd received Most Improved Cadet, Best Third Year (Silver Star) Cadet and the Esprit de Corps Award for Sports.
Best First Year Cadet went to Cadet Jessica Slager. Best Second Year Cadet was Cpl. Madison Moore.
In the shooting awards, Cadet Vance Stovin won Best First Year Shooter. The Best Three Shooters in the Corps were Sgt. Owen Gudmunson, Sgt. Darson Gunnlaugson and Cpl. Madison Moore.
The Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellence was presented to WO Emma Anderson, who commanded the parade that night. She was also given a certificate of service for six years with the unit, and a number challenge coin that had been minted for the unit.
Additional service awards were also handed out. Sgt. Darson Gunnlauson and Sgt. Owen Gudmunson received Army Cadet Service Medals. WO Emma Anderson and MCpl. Ryan Fry received their second bar for that same medal.
