National award presented to Navy League officer

Navy League Lieutenant Bonnie Moon, the Commanding Officer of 128 Navy League Cadet Corps Prairie Schooner, was saluted with a national award at the Annual Ceremonial Review hosted on Saturday.

She was saluted with the National President’s Award as the Navy League Cadet Officer of the Year in recognition of outstanding leadership and service of the highest order to the Navy League of Canada and the Navy League Cadet movement. She was the lone Canadian recipient of this award, which was presented by Reviewing Officer Senator Pamela Wallin.

“They said I’m very deserving, but there’s a lot of other volunteers across Canada, in Saskatchewan, and in Swift Current, who deserve that just as much as what I did,” a near speechless Lieutenant Moon said after the awards ceremony.

She was quick to share the recognition with the other local officers, plus all the other volunteers who dedicate their time.

“I do it because I love the cadets, and for the opportunities that they get out of it. And there’s a lot of other people that put the time and effort in just like I do,” she said.

“I don’t do anything different than anybody else does.”

Lieutenant Moon also wanted to turn the spotlight onto the cadets for their outstanding efforts.

“They work all year long to show off at their ACR like this. They work so hard and they nervous

Cadets from the 605 Royal Canada Air Cadet Tarry Squadron had a mock range demonstration during the Ceremonial Review. Cadets gave a demonstration on sailing during Saturday's Ceremonial Review. but they just want to show everyone all the hard work they put into it. They’re good role models. They’re always willing to volunteer and help out in the community with the Salvation Army kettles, and they help out with the Poppy Blitz, and they helped out with the SPCA when they had their dog walk. They’re willing to help out in the community and it shows some community pride and spirit and good citizenship.”

Swift Current is also unique in that all three cadet organizations work together to succeed.

“It’s like we’re a family here.

“It’s not necessarily with all other corps. The Navy and Sea Cadets are not always like this. And now we have the Air Cadets in that group too, Navy League Lieutenant Bonnie Moon, the Commanding Officer of 128 Navy League Cadet Corps Prairie Schooner was presented the prestigious National Presidents Award from the Navy League of Canada by Senator Pamela Wallin. and it’s like we’re becoming a family.

“We work well together. We all make compromises to make it work for everybody.”