Heather Latter
144 Fort Frances Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps (144 Sea) in Emo recently closed its doors after 58 years of training local youth to be engaged and active citizens.
“It’s been a struggle the past few years to attract and retain more than a dozen cadets,” admitted Lt(N) Dawn Gray, Officer Commanding of 144 Sea.
“We’ve enjoyed wonderful support from the Navy League and all of our sponsors, especially Branch 99 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Emo, and we deeply appreciate all they’ve done for us over the years,” she added.
The corps was formed on June 11, 1956 and named in honour of HMCS Fort Frances, a World War II-era minesweeper, that was built by the Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co. that was launched on Oct. 30, 1943.
144 Sea enjoyed its peak success in the 1970s with more than 60 cadets parading once a week and participating in a wide range of weekend activities, from sailing to survival training and marksmanship.
Lt(N) Gray joined the corps in 1994 when they cadets were parading at the CN station in Fort Frances.
Living in Emo, she remembered being shuttled to Fort Frances to participate.
She also recalled that the unit was in the process of disbanding at the time, but thanks to strong recruitment efforts, the corps received a cancellation of disbandment on Dec. 7, 1994.
It noted that “due to resurgence of interest in the corps,” the director of cadets and the Navy League of Canada agreed to keep the unit open.
“You are to be congratulated on a good effort in finding your second wind,” wrote Lt(N) G.J. Banman to the corps regarding the cancellation of disbandment.
After the infusion of new cadets in 1994, the unit moved to the Emo Legion the following year and then eventually the Emo Curling Club.
The unit remained strong into the 21st century, with about 30 cadets parading. By 2008, the numbers were down to 19, and in 2013, there were just nine cadets.
But Lt(N) Gray indicated corps across the country are also seeing dwindling numbers.
And as of December 2013, the unit was officially put on probation due to the low number of active cadets.
Though they worked to recruit more cadets, they were unable to secure enough to keep the unit open.
“We’re all struggling with the closure—I’ve been involved as a Sea Cadet and an officer for more than 20 years,” explained Lt(N) Gray. “But the regional cadet detachment in North Bay decided that, for the sake of the program, it was time to close 144 Sea.
“All staff and cadets have been invited to join the Air Cadets in Fort Frances.”
While open here for 58 years, the Sea Cadet program, funded by the Department of National Defense, Local Navy League Branch and local sponsors, was available to youth ages 12-18 and cadets hailed from all over the Rainy River District.
The cadets learned about the naval and maritime environment by participating in a variety of activities on and off the water, as such, they develop leadership skills, good citizenship and physical fitness.
They held regular weekly meetings and weekend activities on a monthly basis, as well as had extra training sessions for marksmanship teams and drill teams.
The cadets were able to take part of several out of town competitions in Dryden and in Thunder Bay, along with training exercises in Thunder Bay.
Throughout the years, 144 Sea sent cadets on trips to France, exchange programs to Bermuda, an overseas Deployment on a Canadian ship, and an Interprovincial Exchange program in Newfoundland for the entire corps.
Many of the cadets participated in the summer cadet camps that are offered across Canada, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia.
They also sent cadets to different competitions for sailing, band, and other activities—at no cost to the cadets other than their spending money.
During one ceremonial review, demonstrations were provided on biathlon at Canmore, a trip to Bermuda, rifle range accomplishments, and outdoor adventure training weekends.
The cadets also participated in other activities, such as “Adopt-a-Highway” cleanup, sailing weekend in Kenora, gymnastics sports night, the Remembrance Day services, and the Battle of the Atlantic parade at Knox United Church in Fort Frances.
They also took part in the walk-a-thon, winter games, music concentration, tag day, and decoration day in Emo, and helped manned the Salvation Army kettles at Christmas.
Over the 58 years of the program, plenty changed from the uniforms and the focus of the program to the location of the corps and the commanding officers.
The commanding officers over the years included Jim Miller, Don Melville, Charles Hall, Vernon King, Robert Marshall, Walter Wroblowski, Ed Haglund, Rick Glass, Terry Newman, Cecile LaVigne, Bill Zroback, and Gray.
“It’s a really great program,” Vicki Ikert enthused of the Sea Cadets back in 2007. “We’ve been involved in it for seven years and my children have had some great experiences.
“They’ve had the opportunity to travel and have taken sailing courses.”
“It taught me a great deal of discipline, how to approach different situations, and leadership qualities,” Ryan Goertzen voiced in 2010.
While it is the end of an era for the 144 Fort Frances Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps, many of the cadets will continue on as part of the Air Cadets in Fort Frances.
They will learn many of the same skills, although focusing on flight activities rather than sailing.
—With files from Jason Jarvis
