The 895 Fred Campbell Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron hosted its 30th annual review with all the pomp and circumstance becoming its members.
Coincidentally the review, held on June 6, also coincided with the 68th anniversary of the D-Day landing in France in the Second World War.
Attended by military officers, squadron officials, family, friends and representatives of Mount Forest Legion Branch 134, the squadron’s 22 cadets showed their marching capabilities, performed demonstration such as a mock target practice, underwent an inspection and received awards for their accomplishments over the past year.
The squadron is supervised by commanding officer Second Lieutenant Mark McGee, retired Captain Edward South and retired Colonel Jim Gale, assigned squadron director of the Ontario provincial committee.
Five cadets received the squadron’s excellent attendance award: Leading Air Cadet (LAC) Mathew Dickinson, LAC Skylar McGee, Flight Corporal (FCpl) Joelle Kestner, Sergeant (Sgt.) Joshua Kestner and Warrant Officer 2 (WO2) Shelby McGee.
Best first-year drill honors went to LAC Jeremy Benn, while Dickinson received the best first-year cadet award. The award for initiative and enthusiasm went to Air Cadet Garrett Garrard and best junior non commissioned officer award went to FCpl Steven Anderson.
Shelby McGee shared the best dressed cadet award with Flight Sergeant (FSgt.) Dylan Rutledge. Best leadership potential award went to Skylar McGee and the continue-the -spirit award was shared by Dickinson and Rutledge.
The leadership award and top marksmanship award went to Shelby McGee, while Kestner received the most improved cadet award and shared the Oscar award with Rutledge. Recipients of the Oscar award are chosen by squadron cadets as the most helpful to their peers.
The commanding officer trophy went to Shelby McGee and Kestner received the cadet of the year award.
Commander McGee and Captain South attributed the accomplishments of the cadets to the support of their families.
“You really deserve a lot of credit for what you do,” said South.
Gale noted he has seen improvements in the squadron’s parade performance and credited many of the younger cadets.
“The junior cadets were some of the best I’ve seen on parade,” he said.
