Heather Latter
The 144 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Fort Frances recently was given the opportunity to select two of its members to attend pilgrimages in Europe next spring.
Based on their attendance, behaviour, and participation within the corps, Leading Seaman Chelsea Barron and Leading Seaman Larissa McKelvie earned the privilege.
“This is a very unique opportunity—a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these cadets,” enthused Lt(n) Dawn Gray.
“I was shocked when I heard about it,” admitted Barron.
“Just one word—wow—was what I thought,” recalled McKelvie about learning of the chance to travel to Europe.
Barron, along with an appointed escort, will be heading off to Belgium and France during the first week of April to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Some of the other sites she will visit include a walking tour of Paris (with stops at the Louvre Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral), beaches in the Normandy Region and the Juno Centre, and the Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial.
Barron also will participate in the “Last Post” ceremony at Menin Gate.
“I’m really nervous at this point,” she admitted. “It’s a foreign place and it’s my first time going over there.”
McKelvie, meanwhile, will participate in the second pilgrimage, which is traveling to Ireland during the first week of May.
She will participate in Battle of the Atlantic ceremonies in Derry, as well as other activities, such as touring dockyards in Belfast (where many Canadian ships were built during the Second World War), and the Titanic and War Museums.
McKelvie’s itinerary also includes a tour of the city of Dublin, with a visit to the UN Peacekeeping Memorial, Dublin Castle, and Trinity College, as well as to Canada’s consulate in Ireland.
“I think it’s going to be a great opportunity,” she enthused.
Lt(n) Gray noted the pilgrimages are meant to offer a first-hand, hands-on experience in training opportunities of Canadian and naval history, with a goal of maintaining our heritage through the leaders of tomorrow.
“Where the sea cadets become the custodians of our past, and they present this history to the youth of the cadet program and their communities, now and for the future,” she explained.
Lt(n) Gray added she thinks it’s wonderful the local cadets will be able to experience history and culture tied to the Battle of the Atlantic and Remembrance Day.
“They will learn about our country’s relationship with France and Ireland, Canada as a nation through immigration, the maritime community, and Canadian military history through the world wars and peacekeeping,” she cited.
In order to go on these pilgrimages, both Barron and McKelvie had to meet certain requirements, including writing an essay about the history surrounding their respective pilgrimages.
“So they already know a bit of the history and they will learn more when they are there,” Lt(n) Gray noted.
“They have been asked to keep a journal of their trip, and then they will do a presentation when they return and share what they’re learned.”
The pilgrimages, however, are not free for the cadets, who are holding fundraisers in order to help pay for the trips.
Their first fundraiser was offering gift-wrapping for donations during The Bargain Shop’s “Moonlight Madness” event last Thursday night.
They also are doing a fundraiser through Regal (visit www.ebnl.shopregal.ca), and are accepting sponsorships and donations.
“No donation is too large or too small,” stressed Lt(n) Gray. “Your support and donations are greatly appreciated,”
Cheques, made payable to the “Emo Branch of the Navy League of Canada,” can be mailed to 144 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Fort Frances, RR#1 RMB 171, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M2.
