Sea Cadets celebrate milestone
With ship’s bells ringing, Bosun whistles sounding, polished boots marching, and jaunty sailor’s caps shining, the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets #34 Chinook marked their 75th annual Freedom of City/ Ceremonial Review on Saturday at the Vimy Ridge Armoury. About 200 guests came out to watch the cadets do demonstrations of what they have learned throughout the course of the year, and to honour the cadets who have achieved special merit.
In keeping with tradition, and despite the venue change creating protocol differences this year, Mayor Chris Spearman officially started the ceremony by signing a proclamation granting the Sea Cadets the Freedom of the City. An age old tradition where the chief magistrate or mayor of a town must grant permission for a marching army to enter and pass through the gates, Spearman said it was his honour to be the latest in a long line of mayors to sign off on granting the Freedom of the City to the Sea Cadets spanning the last 75 years.
After Spearman made his comments and signed the proclamation, the official raising of the Canadian flag ceremony was held with naval precision as a ship’s bell sounded and audience members sang ‘O Canada.’
The reviewing officer for the ceremony on Saturday was Naval Captain Patrick Montgomery, former master and commander of HMCS Edmonton and HMCS Saskatoon, and current Naval Reserve Co-ordinator for the Western Region.
Among the notable award winners this years was Cadet Able Seaman Kazz Kaup, who received the Officer’s Award for Most Outstanding Junior Cadet. Cadet Petty Officer Second Class Ashley Anderson received the Howard G. Hicks Award for Outstanding Dedication to the Band. Cadet Chief Petty Officer Second Class Garret McAlister won the Executive Officer’s Award as the cadet who best exemplified military drill, dress and deportment.
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