In a ceremony reflecting the solemnity of the current international situation, the first four officers of the newest Northwestern Ontario Air Cadet squadron were sworn in last Wednesday night at the Memorial Sports Centre here.
Family, friends, sponsors, and cadet instructors from Kenora and Winnipeg were on hand to witness the inauguration of 908 Rainy Lake Air Cadet Squadron with the attestation ceremony for its first commanding officer, Blaine Frenette, supply officer Kent Oar, administrative officer Jeanette Roth, and training officer Kevin Elliott.
All took the oath of allegiance from Capt. Carol Stanley, commanding officer of 600 Starfighter Squadron (Kenora), and in so doing, assumed the rights, privileges, and obligations of officers in the Canadian Armed Forces.
“This is the same oath all officers—regular and reserve—in the Forces take,” noted Capt. Stanley.
“As members of the Cadet Instructor Cadre, they are now bound by the military code of conduct and subject to both civilian and military law,” she added.
For Arend Visser, the ceremony marked the beginning of the end of a quest he’s pursued for years. As the Northwestern Ontario Air Cadet League liaison, Visser was one of the people who worked to put the squadron together.
“We started about two-and-a-half years ago,” he noted. “I was so pleased to see the rep from the Kenora squadron here to administer the oath.”
Also present for the swearing-in ceremony were representatives from the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29 (Fort Frances), the Lions Club of Fort Frances, Kiwanis Club of Fort Frances, the Knights of Columbus, and the Moffat Family Community Fund.
Capt. Stanley told the new officers they could look forward to a long and rewarding career with the squadron and, if they chose, eventually could earn a commission in the regular forces.
“Within two years, they must take the officer qualification course at the Cadet Instructor School in Edmonton,” she explained. “It’s a 10-day course and the same one all prospective officers in the regular forces take.”
In the interim, the new officers will have plenty to keep them occupied here at home. Visser said 42 cadets already were signed up and three on the waiting list.
Four more signed up at the ceremony.
The Air Cadet League of Canada officially was incorporated in 1941 with a mandate to work with the Royal Canadian Air Force on a partnership basis to sponsor young men as future aircrew.
In 1971, the cadet instructors list was formalized—opening the way for the inclusion of female cadets in 1975.
Cadet instructors must be at least 18 years old, just as would anyone joining the Forces.
Former Air Cadet alumni include astronauts Marc Garneau and Chris Hadfield, Olympic biathlete Myriam Bedard, Capt. Maryse Carmichael (the first female Snowbirds pilot), former federal Cabinet minister and Newfounland premier Brian Tobin, and (believe it or not) comedian Jim Carrey.
There are currently 448 Air Cadet squadrons in Canada with nearly 30,000 members.
Air Cadets will meet every Wednesday in the auditorium of the Memorial Sports Centre from 6:30-9:30 p.m., except during the months of July and August.
If you are interested in joining 908 Rainy Lake Squadron and are between the ages of 12 and 18, contact the commanding officer, Blaine Frenette, at 274-2403 or by e-mail at frenette@jam21.net
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
