It’s been a long year, but soon 53 members of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets 259 Panther Squadron will be going through one last event before their summers begin.
The squadron will be partaking in an annual review ceremony on May 26 at the Peniction Curling Club. They will be reviewed by Major Brent Deck of the Regional Cadet Support Unit Pacific, who will travel from Victoria.
The event is a special one, marking the squadron’s 70th annual review.
There will be a drill demonstration, bag piping, a military band and an effective speaking competition.
As well, the Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellence and the Lord Strathcona Medal will be presented to the top cadets in the squadron in the areas of leadership, citizenship and physical fitness, three key areas which the organization works to promote, as well as stimulating an interest in the activities of the Canadian Air Force in young people.
Capt. Richard Hellyer, the group’s commanding officer, said the squadron has been quite successful in the past few years.
“The last couple of years have been very successful for Penticton. We’re one of the top squadrons in B.C. from participation and activities, and from successes in those activities. Morale is strong, and the mandate is carried out well,” he said.
While this is the last action the squadron will have together before the summer, 12 of the cadets will be continuing on to Cadet summer instruction, in areas such as basic aviation technology, survival training and physical fitness training.
As well, five of the squadron members have been selected for national scholarship summer courses such as pilot training at the Regional Power Instruction School in Victoria, an advanced aerospace technology course in Ontario and an international air cadet exchange with Australia.
The review will be taking place at 10:45 a.m. on May 26 at the Penticton Curling Club.