The No. 2528 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps Inspection was held last Sunday, June 11, beside the Virden Park area on Eighth Street with great weather, and a good crowd in attendance.
At 3:00 pm the cadets were assembled by junior non commission officers and command of the parade was taken over by Sergeant Jayson Brockman of Reston.
The reviewing officer this year was Honorary Colonel Rick Felstead, CStJ, CD of the 26th Field Regiment, R.C.A. Brandon. The colonel has a long history of military service as both boy, and man, in the Canadian Armed Forces and is very well known for his community work and leadership in the Brandon area where he and his wife live.
During his inspection of the troopers, he was joined by Cadet Commanding Officer Lt. Nicole Day, Virden Legion Rep, and former Cadet Commanding Officer Captain Kel Smith, CD (ret) and retired Colonel Don Berry.
Col. Felstead, during his inspection took time to stop and talk to some of the cadets on parade, having once been an army cadet himself in his youth, (which later lead to a full-time career with the military). Following the inspection, there was a march pass and salute to the colonel as family, friends and officials looked on. Two of the special guests were former WW II veterans - Jack Houston and Les Downing.
The second part of the event a number of cadets were awarded for their accomplishments during the past training year. The awards were presented by cadet officers, local officials, community service clubs and long-time individuals who have supported the cadet corps.
Top Green Star Cadet went to Lance Corporal Botte Belle; top Red Star Cadet to Lance Corporal Lawrence; top Silver Star Cadet to Master Corporal Weibe; top Gold Star Cadet to Sergeant Jayson Brockman.
The Top Junior Shot award went to Cadet Lance Corporal Lawrence; Top Senior Shot went to Cadet Sergeant Miller; for the best uniform award there was a tie with Sergeant Gibbert and Lance Corporal Archambault, both receiving an award.
The participation award is for those cadets who have an attendance of 90% or better. The award was presented by 2IC Lt. Gray to Sergeant Detlor, Lance Corporal Flemand-Starr, Lance Corporal Lawrence, Sergeant Miller and Master Corporal Miller.
The Most Improved Cadet award went to Lance Corporal Flemand-Starr and the Top All Round Cadet went to Sergeant Jayson Brockman, presented by Col. Felstead.
A number of special presentations included The Shield Challenge Award, given out to a group of cadets who had been formed into teams at the beginning of each training year and as a group they are evaluated on teamwork, dress, deportment and leadership. This year’s team who called themselves “The Virden Maple Leafs” received the award, made up of Sergeant Gibbert, Master Corporal Fleury, Master corporal Darian Roulette and lance corporal Botte - Belle.
There were a number of short speeches and presentation by Melody Hrencka, president of the cadet parent committee; by Linda Wall of the Army Cadet League of Canada and by Colonel Felstead. This event gave recognition to community groups and individuals who have helped the cadet corps with funding and service.
Special mention was made of the great effort by the cadets and supporters to be able to raise enough money to send nine of the cadets over to Europe to visit Vimy Ridge and other Canadian battle sites - the largest number of cadets from any one cadet corps in Canada. In the speeches the cadets were praised for their efforts during the year and their turnout at this inspection, with special thanks to their officers and family support groups.
Following a final review march pass, the parade was dismissed and everyone was invited to the park to see a number of static displays that showed some of the cadets’ training and events of the corps in the past year.
There were light refreshments and an informal reception hosted by the cadet parents.
Many of the cadets on parade had a long history with the Virden cadet corps, many with brothers and sisters also joining up as soon as they are old enough. Several of the army cadets in this corps will be going off to various army summer cadets’ training camps where they will learn not only leadership skills, but skills that will be useful in the real world.
The final word goes to Army cadet corps No. 2528, XII Manitoba Dragoons Commanding Officer Lt. Nicole Day “We are so proud to have these cadets standing before us, as they have worked hard throughout the year honing their skills and ironing their uniforms to ready themselves for their big final parade. Congratulations to each winner, as well as those cadets who have been selected to attend summer training. Great work 2528, have a fun and safe summer, and we will see you ready to parade in September.”
