Sarah Pruys
As rain drummed on the roof of the Memorial Sports Centre last Wednesday evening, the 908 Rainy Lake Air Cadet Squadron marched around the auditorium onto Parade.
Twenty-six cadets, along with their families and friends, were present for the 10th-annual ceremonial review.
“The [ceremonial review is an opportunity to give cadets the recognition they have earned as the 2012-13 year winds down,” noted Operations Officer C.I. Allyson Albanese.
Local Air Cadets not only participated in weekly training exercises, but also had the opportunity to take part in biathlon competitions, marksmanship competitions, a survive air competition, several camping exercises, and spring gliding at Kakabeka Falls.
They also participated in several community events, including Legion poppy sales, Remembrance Day ceremonies at Fort Frances High School and the cenotaph, the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Drive, the “Parade of Lights,” and the “Fly-in, Drive-in BBQ” at the Fort Frances Airport.
After their busy year, “the squadron was honoured to have Hon. Lt. W.F. “Woody” Linton as the Reviewing Officer,” Albanese noted.
Linton walked up and down the rows of cadets, inspecting them and watching their drill presentations.
He then helped present awards and promotions, along with other staff members and guests.
WO2 Oryn Albanese, 18, was honoured with the Lord Strathcona Medal.
“It dates back to 1909 when Lord Strathcona, then High Commissioner for Canada, wished to improve the physical and intellectual abilities of youth by encouraging habits of self-discipline, good citizenship, and patriotism,” Linton explained.
“The medal is the highest award that can be granted to a cadet.”
As the squadron was about to be dismissed, Linton said “the future of our country is based on discipline, hard work, and unification.”
“Thank you very much for your hard work, you look great tonight,” he added.
“Thank you, ladies and gentleman, for [giving] your sons and daughters to our community. We appreciate it.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for coming,” said Commanding Officer Capt. Andrew Saciuk.
“If it wasn’t for parents, and for families and friends, the cadets wouldn’t be here,” he stressed.
“We appreciate the support that you give the cadets, both in having them come out on a week by week basis for training and for weekend activities,” Capt. Saciuk added.
“We’ll endeavour and try to do our very best to provide the very best training for our cadets.”
Capt. Saciuk noted the local squadron had another busy training year.
“We have busy program which we’re expected to get through,” he remarked. “As always, our cadets are top-notch, both in the regular training, as well as in the optional training program.
“For those cadets going on to summer training, I wish you all the best.”
Through the Air Cadet Program, cadets have the opportunity to attend various free summer camps in southern Ontario.
“I loved it,” enthused Oryn Albanese, who completed his sixth year with the cadet program.
“I always encourage people to join.
“Every time I hear one of my co-workers, or one of my parent’s friends or some adult on the street talk about how their 12-year-old doesn’t have anything to do after school, I say, ‘Well, why don’t you send them to cadets?’
“It’s just awesome.”
On winning the prestigious award, Albanese said, “I am exuberant about that.
“It is such an honour to be awarded that; that my officers and my peers would do that to me.
“It’s such a rare award,” he added. “I only know two other people that have this award.”
Looking to the future, Albanese plans on continuing with cadets until he ages out after turning 19.
“I plan on continuing my aviation career that cadets has given me the opportunity to have,” he noted.
After his schooling is done, Albanese plans on giving back and volunteering with cadets again.
“When you move on, you can either become a civilian instructor or an officer inside the cadet corps, or you can put it behind you an go, ‘That was my time and it was fun,’” he remarked.
Recruit-of-the-Year Dylan Roth, 13, also had great things to say about the program, including that he’s already excited for next year.
“It’s something fun to do once a week,” he said. “Probably my favourite part is the flight simulators, and the classes are great.
“It’s a great topic to put on a résumé for a job interview,” Roth added.
The next season will begin in September. Young people aged 12-18 are encouraged to come and check it out.
Awards
•Perfect attendance—WO2 O. Albanese, F/Sgt E. Selman, Sgt N. Piotrowski, Sgt. T. Gerhard, F/Cpl. M. Grant, F/Cpl. M Nowak, F/Cpl. S. Selman, F/Cpl. M. Albanese-Higgins, Cpl. A. Roth, LAC D. Roth, LAC H. Ottoson, LAC Z. McDougall, and Cdt. M. Douglas
•Most Active Participation—F/Cpl. S. Selman (female) and F/Cpl. M. Nowak (male)
•F.F. Legion Community Service Award—F/Cpl. M. Grant
•Warrant Officer’s Shield—F/Sgt. E. Selman
•Range Team Award—Sgt. T. Gerhard, F/Cpl. S. Selman, F/Cpl. M. Nowak, Cpl. A. Tullio, and Cpl. A. Roth
•Top Marksman Award—F/Cpl. M. Nowak
•Recruit of the Year Award—LAC D. Roth
•Top Level 2 Cadet Award—Cpl. A. Tullio
•Top Level 3 Cadet Award—F/Cpl S. Selman
•Top Level 4 Cadet Award—Sgt. N. Piotrowski
•Top Overall Cadet Award—Sgt. N. Piotrowski
•Lord Strathcona Medal—WO2 O. Albanese
