LITTLE CURRENT—The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps 348 Manitoulin marched with crisp precision beneath the stern gaze of reviewing officer UCCM Chief of Police Rodney A. Nahwegahbow, their uniforms sharp as the Little Current Recreation Centre arena was filled with the applause of proud parents, friends and relatives.
The cadets worked their way through the afternoon program missing nary a beat, including an outstanding precision drill and musical performance by the corps’ newly formed marching band.
A touching moment occurred when the band was led into the arena by drum major Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexis French wielding a mace donated by the family of 348 Manitoulin co-founder Ed Kift. The mace was originally donated to Mr. Kift by the Little Current Lions Club in the 1960s when he formed a long-running town marching band.
The program consisted of the ship’s company falling in for O’ Canada and a moment of silence for Canada’s Forces, the arrival of the viewing party, a general salute, inspection of the ship’s company by Chief Nahwegahbow and a group of dignitaries that included Northeast Town Mayor Al MacNevin and Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes, the Commanding Officer of #348 Manitoulin, Lieutenant (Navy) Maggie King-Roi, Navy League of Canada Ontario Division Board Member Henry Wall and Manitoulin Navy League President Bob Jewell, before a ceremonial march past.
Included in the presentations were a drill without arms, led by drill commander Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Brad Sayyae, before the drill team marched off to be replaced by the marching band. The band was formed in late 2014 under the tutelage of civilian instructors Chantal Beaulieu and Tina Davidson and was made possible by a generous donation from the Little Current Lions Club.
Next on the order of business was the presentation of awards.
The first award of the day was the Manitoulin Navy League Manitoulin Branch Outstanding First Year Cadet Award presented by #348 Manitoulin founding member Jeff Marshall. This award is for the demonstration of proficiency in dress, deportment, drill and self-discipline. The was presented to Leading Seaman Quentis Wood.
The Manitoulin Navy League Manitoulin Branch Outstanding Second Year Cadet Award (for demonstration of proficiency in dress, deportment, drill and self discipline) was presented by Civilian Instructor John Laidley to Leading Seaman Andrew Splawnyk.
The Manitoulin Navy League Manitoulin Branch Outstanding Third Year Cadet Award (for demonstration of proficiency in dress, deportment, drill and self discipline) was presented by Naval Cadet Tara Pascoe to Master Seaman Miranda MacKay.
The Outstanding Fourth Year Cadet Award (for demonstration of proficiency in dress, deportment, drill and self discipline) was presented by Civilian Instructor Tina Davidson to Petty Officer 2nd Class Tim VanVolkingburgh.
The Most Improved Cadet Award was presented by Civilian Instructor Chantel Beaulieu on behalf of Bill Martin, president of the Channel View Drop-in Centre, which generously shares office space at the NEMI arena for the cadets’ officers and staff during their parade nights. This award went to the cadet who has demonstrated a drive to work towards increasing skills in dress and deportment, drill, mandatory classes and self-discipline, Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicholas Harper.
Brian Chapelle of the Manitoulin North Shore Navy Veterans Association presented the Outstanding Citizenship Award to the cadet who is a good citizen and who strives to make a worthwhile contribution that benefits the country as a whole and not just themselves to Petty Officer First Class Quinton Cosby.
The Recruiting Award went to the cadet who has brought the highest number of new cadets to the Corps. This year the award was presented by Civilian Instructor Lynn Harper-Kutschke to both Petty Officer Second Class Ben Sayyae and Petty Officer Second Class Nick Harper.
The Top Marksmanship Award went to the cadet who consistently achieved the top score in both practice and competition. The award was presented by Assistant Marksmanship Coach Naval Cadet Tara Pascoe to Petty Officer Second Class Nick Harper.
The Music Award for Most Improved Cadet was presented by Civilian Instructor Tina Davidson and Little Current Lions Club President Bruce Burnett to the cadet who has demonstrated great learning capacity in a short time. “He has become a great leader and his music skills have grown immensely,” said Mr. Pascoe as the award was presented to Petty Officer Second Class Nick Harper.
The Most Dedicated Award was presented by Civilian Instructor and Band Officer Chantal Beaulieu and Little Current Lions Club President Bruce Burnett to the cadet who demonstrated a clear understanding of music theory and band drill, as well as leading and instructing other band members. As well, this cadet had perfect attendance at all band practices. The award was presented to Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Bradly Sayyae.
The Esprit de Corps Award is a special award. The selection was done by secret ballot by the cadets themselves. “This cadet demonstrated a positive attitude that contributes to the Esprit de Corps of the Manitoulin Sea Cadets,” said Mr. Pascoe. This year, in honour of #348 Manitoulin cadets founding member Mr. Ed Kift, the award has been renamed the Ed Kift Memorial Award for Esprit de Corps and is engraved with his motto “ahead both half.” This award was presented by Mayor Al MacNevin, accompanied by #348 Manitoulin Commanding Officer, Lieutenant (Navy) Maggie King-Roi to Chief Petty Officer Second Class Cindy Hu.
Commanding Officer, Lieutenant (Navy) Maggie King-Roi.
“For the fifth year in a row, a special award will be presented,” noted Mr. Pascoe. “Little Current resident and supporter of the cadets, Retired Colonel George Bury who passed away in early 2011. He was a veteran of World War II.”
“Colonel Bury was a true gentleman and a positive influence not only with the corps but in the Manitoulin community as well,” he said. “The George Bury Memorial Award will be presented to the cadet who exemplifies the Latin phrase “fidus amicus,” which means “a true friend.” The award was presented by the wife of George Bury, Leona Bury, accompanied by the Commanding Officer of #348 Manitoulin, Lieutenant (Navy) Maggie King-Roi to Petty Officer 2nd Class Brad Sayyae
The Male Proficiency Award went to the cadet who has demonstrated excellent qualities of leadership by influencing cadet behaviour so as to accomplish a mission in the manner desired by a leader. Presented by OPP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Kevin Webb, the award went to Petty Officer 2nd Class Bailey DeChatehuvert.
The Female Proficiency Award went to the female cadet who has demonstrated excellent qualities of leadership by influencing cadet behaviour so as to accomplish a mission in the manner desired by a leader. The award was presented by Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapsuaksing MP Carol Hughes to Master Seaman Miranda Mackay.
The Navy League Cadet Service Medal went to the cadet who has served four full years in a Sea Cadet Corps. This year, three cadets have earned the medal. The first medal was presented by Mr. Henry Wall, Navy League Ontario Division member, to Petty Officer 2nd class Brandon Shawana; the second medal was presented by Bob Jewell, Manitoulin Navy League president, to Petty Officer 2nd Class Tim Van Volkingburgh; the third medal was presented by 348 Manitoulin Commanding Officer Lieutenant (Navy) Maggie King-Roi to Petty Officer Second Class Rebecca MacDonald.
The Legion Medal of Excellence, Manitoulin is given to a cadet in recognition for individual endeavours in citizenship, which meet or enhance the aims and objectives of the cadet movement. The medal was presented by Branch 177 Royal Canadian Legion representative Roy Eaton to Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexis French.
The Legion Medal of Excellence, Gore Bay was presented by Don Watson, representative of Branch 514 Royal Canadian Legion, Gore Bay to Petty Officer 1st Class Quinton Cosby.
The End of Cadet Career Award went to a cadet who will be leaving the cadet corps and pursuing post secondary education. The award was presented by past #348 Manitoulin Coxswain, retired Chief Petty Officer First Class Andrew Blake. The award went to current coxswain, Chief Petty Officer Second Class Cindy Hu.
The Aging Out Award goes to the cadet who completed their cadet career until their 19th birthday. An engraved pewter mug is the traditional gift for this accomplishment. The award went to Petty Officer Second Class Brandon Lee Shawana and was presented by OPP Community Services Officer Allan Boyd.
The Top Cadet Award went to the cadet who is the most outstanding sea cadet in the Manitoulin Division and was presented by our reviewing officer, Chief Rodney Nahwegahbow to Chief Petty Officer Second Class Cindy Hu.
Reviewing Officer Chief of Police Rodney Nahwegahbow then addressed the corps, congratulating the cadets on their service, followed by MP Hughes who also congratulated the corps.
Henry Wall, board member of the Navy League of Canada, Ontario Division, then also congratulated the cadets, as Bob Jewell, branch chairperson of the Navy League of Canada, brought greetings on behalf of the sponsoring committee for #348 Manitoulin.
Commanding Officer of the #348 Manitoulin Cadet Corps, Lieutenant (Navy) Maggie King-Roi then addressed the cadets, eliciting a cheer from her charges.
Chief Petty Officer First Class Cindy Hu then presented a gift to Chief Nahwegahbow, along with a card that read “Sir: Please accept this gift as a token of our appreciation for serving as our Reviewing Officer—with much thanks and gratitude,” and signed by the officers and cadets of #348 Manitoulin RCSCC.
Following the presentations and awards, the ship’s company marched smartly off of the field, to return for a reception and gathering with the guests and family attending
