Cadets mobilizing youth, one parent says
Marc Nadeau, who lives with his wife and four children in Sherbrooke, has always been what he describes as a ‘military buff’. The loyalty and devotion shown by our troops have always held him in admiration. Now that his young daughter, Gabrielle, is part of the cadets, he has witnessed firsthand the good the group can do and is glad to give to her an opportunity that had been denied to him.
“The cadets were a fantastic experience for my daughter. She’s showing maturity and leadership,” said Nadeau “She’s developed many skillsets during her time there.”
Gabrielle said that she very much enjoyed her time with the cadets, and that she wants to continue being a part of the group.
“They’d teach us to shoot with the carbines. We’d do all kinds of sports, we learned how to be in parades,” she explained. “We’d also go on expeditions in the woods, learn how to find your way through a forest.”
According to her, the cadets are also very much based around friendship and teamwork.
“I had a pretty rough summer, and the cadets helped me forget,” she said. “I had fun and made tons of friends. We’re also very invested in the community. We’d do lots of fundraisers, to raise money for the legion. We visited veterans too. It was really fun. I’m definitely going to go back.”
Gabrielles father commented that he found that the cadets gave his daughter a wonderful structure. His own parents had always been apprehensive regarding the army, but he deems that Gabrielle is a testament to their strong values.
“You know; we often complain about todays youth. It’s easy to criticize, but you have give them the right values, with the right influences. I wish I had the opportunity to join the cadets. When you see the impact that they have on kids, I would’ve liked that,” he explained. “As parents, my wife and I are grateful of the influence they’ve had on Gabrielle. They’ve mobilized her. When we had the floods this year, or when we look at the refugee situation, they help us, as a society. There’s a social impact there that should be recognized.”
“There’s a richness there,” he continued. “They bring a lot to the community. They have a sense of devotion that I hold in the highest regard. I think we have a responsibility to recognize the positive impact of the army, especially when I see the good the cadets have done to my daughter. They value friendships, responsibility, leadership and helping one another.”
“Gabrielle has always been polite to an extent, but when you’re thirteen, saying ma’am and sir doesn’t always come naturally,” laughed Nadeau. “Now she speaks to everyone with utmost respect. She’s motivated in a way she wasn’t before; she wants to get involved. That sense of civic duty is important. We’re community-oriented creatures, we don’t like to be alone. It’s so important to band together.”
“When you have many kids, like me, things like the scouts, though a fantastic organization, can get really expensive,” he added. “The cadets are completely free. My other kids are very envious of Gabrielle, and enthusiastic to do all the things she got to do. I think we’re on our way to start a new family tradition!”