Aundeck Omni Kaning hosts 348 Manitoulin Sea Cadet Corps 14th Annual Ceremonial Review

AUNDECK OMNI KANING—The 348 Manitoulin Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps presented its 14th annual Ceremonial Review to the formal reviewing officer and to more than 100 friends and family on Sunday at Aundeck Omni Kaning’s Four Directions Complex.

The marching was smart and disciplined as were the various drills and selections played by the corps band all under the direction of the Coxswain, Chief Petty Officer Second Class Miranda MacKay, a five-year veteran of the cadet program. Ms. MacKay was assisted by Regulating Petty Officer Second Class Nicholas Harper.

The honour guard selected for the review was comprised of Master Seaman Dayna Beauchamp (Guard Commander), Petty Officer Second Class Lauren MacKay, Lending Seaman Kyler Fletcher and Leading Seaman Joseph Waindubence-Doucette.

The reviewing officer for the event, Lieutenant Commander Rodney Turcotte, is the officer in charge of all cadet programs in Northern Ontario, from the Manitoba border to Muskoka: 46 in all.

In his remarks to the Manitoulin Cadets, he observed that as individuals and as a corps, “you’ve had some good success this year.” He had observed the precision drills during the afternoon and pronounced the cadets’ work “fantastic.”

“Have a great summer,” he told the cadets (many of whom will be attending cadet camps.) “Come back with great stories. But, most of all, come back to cadets.”

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing Member of Parliament Carol Hughes has attended virtually every Island Sea Cadet annual review since she was first elected. She spoke as the parent of a sea cadet, her daughter, who was an active member of the Elliot Lake corps and served later on as a civilian instructor.

Ms. Hughes acknowledged the efforts of the corps’ officers and civilian instructors: “Congratulations to the cadets and to their parents and grandparents who are always there for them.”

The MP wished “all the best as you go off to camp,” but encouraged the young people, at camp, “you remember to always treat other people as you would like to be treated.”

Bob Jewell, president of the Manitoulin Navy League (the Island sea cadet sponsoring organization) said he was pleased with the large number of parents and families who had come out to the event. “I appreciate parents supporting your kids in the Sea Cadet program. We are always hoping to get more kids involved.”

Mr. Jewell congratulated the cadets on “a wonderful review,” noting that, 50 years ago, he had been a sea cadet in the St. Catharines corps.

Mr. Jewell also thanked the officers and his fellow Navy League members for their support and drew attention to the newly-purchased ship’s bridge simulator that was on display and had been purchased this year from the Navy League’s fundraising efforts.

In what was to be her last address to the cadets as the corps’ commanding officer, Lt (N) Maggie King-Roi thanked “everyone who came out today to support the cadets.” “You’ve done us proud,” she told the cadets.

Ms. King-Roi thanked MP Carol Hughes for being so diligent in attending these annual reviews. She thanked AOK Chief Patsy Corbiere for welcoming the cadets to her community and Bob Jewell and the Navy League for their fundraising efforts on behalf of the sea cadet program. Ms. Roi-King also acknowledged the support of the reviewing officer, Lieutenant Commander Rodney Turcotte “for your support of our corps and all the cadet corps in Northern Ontario.”

The following cadets were award recipients at this year’s Ceremonial Review.

Chief Petty Officer Second Class Miranda MacKay, a fifth-year cadet and the corps Coxswain, received multiple awards: The Outstanding Cadet Award, the Commanding Officer’s Fifth-Year Cadet Award and the Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal. (The Lord Strathcona Medal is the highest award which can be given to a cadet in recognition of exceptional performance in physical and military training.)

The Lieutenant Commander Roger Szydziak Outstanding First Year Cadet was presented to Able Seaman Stephen White.

The Manitoulin Navy League Branch Outstanding Third Year Cadet ward was presented to Leading Seaman Dayna Beauchamp.

The Outstanding Fourth Year Cadet award was presented to Petty Officer Second Class Abbie Harper.

The Most Improved Cadet Award was presented to Able Seaman Kyler Fletcher.

The Colonel George Bury Award, for a cadet who best represents the Latin phrase “fidus amicus” (faithful friend) was presented by Colonel Bury’s daughter Sue Morin to Chief Petty Officer Second Class Nick Harper.

The Bryan Chapelle Outstanding Citizenship Award was presented by Bryan Chapelle, assisted by Central Manitoulin Mayor Richard Stephens, to Leading Seaman Ryan Goddard.

The Female and Male Proficiency Awards were presented to, respectively, Petty Officer Second Class Abbie Harper and Petty Officer Second Class Vonn Clayton. (These awards are presented to cadets who have individually demonstrated leadership qualities in a way that helps to accomplish a mission in a manner desired by a leader.)

The Ed Kift Esprit de Corps Award is an award determined by the cadets themselves through a secret ballet process. It was presented by Mr. Kift’s widow Judy Kift and son John Kift to Chief Petty Officer Second Class Nick Harper.

The Legion Medal of Excellence, presented by a representative of Branch 514, Gore Bay, was awarded to Quintis Wood Petty Officer Second Class.

The Recruiting Award is given to the cadet who has influenced new cadets to join the corps and who have remained as active members. It was awarded to Petty Officer Second Class Vonn Clayton.

The Most Improved Bandsman Award was won by Able Seaman Morgan O’Brien.

The Most Dedicated Bandsman Award was presented to Petty Officer Second Class Abbie Harper.

The Top Marksmanship Award was presented (for the third consecutive year) to Chief Petty Officer Second Class Nick Harper.

The Cadet Service Medal is presented to cadets who have dedicated four or more years of service to the Sea Cadet program. The medal was presented to three cadets: Petty Officer Second Class Abbie Harper, Petty Officer Second Class Vonn Clayton and Petty Officer Second Class Quintis Wood.

The “End of Career” Award is usually presented to a cadet who turned 19 during his or her cadet year and so “aged out.” In the case of Tim VanVolkingburg, he did not complete his final cadet year as he was accepted into the Canadian Armed Forces so he was deemed to have completed the year in a related service when he turned 19. Private VanVolkingburg was presented his plaque by all of the corps officers and civilian instructors.