Change of command
Officer reflects on time with New Glasgow cadets
Randy Royal turned the command of 219 New Glasgow Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps over to his successor Saturday in a colourful and emotional ceremony in Pictou.
He was the corps’ commanding officer for the past six years, having joined the cadet program 16 years ago.
“I’m very proud to have worn the uniform of a reserve officer in the Canadian army and I’m going to miss this. Having no children of my own, I am really going to miss my cadets,” he said.
Royal could not be prouder of the corps he is leaving to new commanding officer Allan Day.
“Our 219 corps won the Lord Strathcona Cup as the best cadet corps in Nova Scotia. We’re the third largest corps and our cadets are hard-working and disciplined which makes them good citizens and good leaders and a pleasure to know.”
Friend Don Hussher encouraged Royal to get involved with cadets.
“I’d helped him with a Venturers program in Westville for eight years. When it disbanded, he went over to the cadets and after a while, he invited me to come along.”
Royal had been a cadet in high school in Windsor, Ont., and his father had been in the navy during the Second World War, but he knew little of the military.
“I joined to help out with the kids, with no aspirations of ever being an officer, but Don helped me through my probationary period and I really got to like it. Nine months later, I was at my first officers’ event. I was about the oldest guy in every course, but I made it to captain and then commanding officer.”
Through his years in the reserves, he has made many friends across Canada and beyond, but none are more important than those at New Glasgow Legion.
“They are our sponsor and have always been there for us. When we lost our building last year, it broke our hearts but not our spirit because they welcomed us to their building with open arms,” he said.
Royal credits Warrant Officer William Fleming with initiating a new service to legion members.
“Their members are aging so he took it upon himself to bring five cadets to carry their flags forward at the beginning of their monthly meetings. It is part of their protocol but hard on the members so the cadets give them a hand. Word of our cadets doing this has spread and it is now happening across the province.”
It also pleases him that cadets make monthly visits to the Northumberland Veterans Unit in Pictou.
“It is something our cadets do out of respect, but they also enjoy it. The vets like having them visit, so it works both ways.”
He just recently returned from the second of two visits the cadet corps has made to Europe during his years as commanding officer.
“The first trip we went to Juno Beach. Personally, I was awestruck to be on the beach where the Canadians landed in the Second World War. We visited the graves of the fallen and it certainly didn’t go unnoticed that many were only a few years older than our cadets.”
The second trip included a visit to historic Vimy Ridge where Royal and one of his cadets climbed the steps of the memorial to lay a wreath in memory of Canadian soldiers.
“My grandfather was at Vimy Ridge and he was one of those who survived the battle so it was quite touching to be there with the cadets. To see them march up to the memorial was a highlight for me. ”
Another wreath was laid by New Glasgow cadets at the monument honouring the service and sacrifice of the 85th Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders.
“Being a cadet is a big commitment, but it was clear it meant a lot to them to have the opportunity to visit there and honour the soldiers from home.”
The corps also went to the First World War’s Menin Gate Memorial where Captain Guy Melanson and Cadet Kailee Heath, the corps’ RSM, participated in a ceremony to honour soldiers whose graves are unknown.
“You have to be the best of the best to be selected for that ceremony and we gave them two top notch people, a great credit to our corps.”
Enrolment in cadets has declined over the years as a result of smaller families and more options for young people, but Royal believes the program teaches leadership and responsibility while offering opportunities for travel and experience.
“We are supported by the Department of National Defence and the Army Cadet League of Canada covers the insurance for all our programs so it is quite inexpensive for parents. At 16, our cadets are eligible to go to England, Europe, Bahamas, Seoul or across Canada. We’ve got many summer camps and what other camps pay kids to attend?”
Reflecting back over his year, particularly those as commanding officer, Royal is grateful for the flexibility his employer, Highcrest Home, allowed him.
“It would have been a much harder job without the support and assistance I got from my employer. I know that doesn’t come with every job so I have really appreciated it.”
He is equally grateful for the work done by the cadet corps staff.
“I had a great staff always willing to do the best possible job. They are all staying so I know the new CO will have great support.”