The 583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets marked a momentous occasion at the recent annual ceremonial review (ACR), with the group celebrating its 70th year in the communities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
Approximately 120 air cadets gathered together in May for the ACR, which is an opportunity for the cadets to exhibit their training in front of family and friends, and also be recognized for their hard work with various medals and awards.
As a Commonwealth nation, there is a lot of significance surrounding the squadron's 70th ACR, explained commanding officer Capt. Tom Middleveen.
"The first ACR occurred the year after that of the Queen's coronation year," said Middleveen. "It is also the ACR of the 2023-2024 training year immediately following King Charles' coronation."
In addition to more than 100 cadets and their relatives, the recent ACR also included various other dignitaries, including reviewing officer Maj. Howie Nelson, MLA Lisa Beare, Maple Ridge councillors Sunny Schiller, Onyeka Dozie, and Ahmed Yousef, BC wing chair Nancy Chapman, members of the Maple Ridge branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, and members of the Army Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada #379.
Capt. Middleveen was especially grateful that the reviewing officer was from the 39 Canadian Brigade Group since Middleveen himself also comes from this brigade group.
"I found it quite moving when he shared that he appreciated the service the cadets provide on Poppy Days, as he had lost friends in Afghanistan during his service there," said Middleveen. "The cadets are an important component of the act of remembrance in Canada."
Awards given out at the service included:
• Cadet Medal of Excellence (Cadet Warrant Officer First Class Biden Chhetri)
• Top Senior Cadet Award (Cadet Warrant Officer First Class Biden Chhetri)
• Lord Strathcona Medal Certificate (Cadet Warrant Officer Second Class Dianna Kim)
• 70th Anniversary Award
• Squadron challenge coin and certificate of appreciation (Maj. Howie Nelson)
Throughout the past 70 years, the 583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets have steadily grown, with membership increasing from 90 to 120 in just the past decade alone.
However, Capt. Middleveen would like to see even more people join the air cadets to take advantage of the many benefits the program offers.
"They learn to become great Canadian citizens," he said. "There are so many topics they study, such as leadership, effective speaking, marksmanship, sports/athletics, first aid, survival, aviation, meteorology, and the Canadian military and its history."
The 583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets are active from September to June and accept all youth between the ages of 12 and 18. They meet each Thursday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Albion Fairgrounds.
More information about the air cadets program is available at 583aircadets.ca.
