鈥淏eing given this chance to review the cadets tonight has not been lost on me,鈥� said Capt. Terry Eritz, reviewing officer for the Kamsack air cadet annual ceremonial review. 鈥淭his is a very great honour.鈥�
A last-minute change of plans resulted in a change of reviewing officer and guest speaker for the Kamsack air cadet squadron鈥檚 annual ceremonial review held on May16 at the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute (KCI) and Kamsack Legion Hall.
Eritz of Yorkton was a last minute fill-in for Kamsack RCMP S/Sgt. Kirk Badger. It was reported in a past issue of the Kamsack Times that Badger would be the reviewing officer and guest speaker for the evening, but he was called upon to go fight forest fires in northern Saskatchewan and was unable to attend the annual review, said Karen Bodnarek, cadet civilian instructor. 鈥淲e phoned Terry late last night and are very thankful that he was able to be here,鈥� she said.
The formal inspection and march past of the reviewing parade was conducted in the gymnasium of the KCI. Members of the reviewing party were: Capt. Terry Eritz, reviewing officer; 2Lt. Karen Tourangeau, commanding officer; Milton Glaicar, area director for the Air Cadet League; FSgt. Cade Henry-Martino, flight commander; WO2 Keanna Romaniuk, cadet parade commander, and Lynn Baillie, member of the Kamsack Legion sponsoring organization.
Eritz handed out promotions and proficiency badges.
A special award, the four-year service medal, was presented to Aidan Broda by Glaicar.
After an address by reviewing officer Eritz, the reviewing party departed, the cadets marched out, and everyone reassembled at the Kamsack Legion for the banquet and awards presentations.
FCpl. Megan Raffard was named the squadron鈥檚 most proficient cadet and received a trophy from James Pollock, which had been sponsored by Duck Mountain Ambulance. She was also named the most improved senior cadet and received a trophy sponsored by Dr. Murray Davies which was presented by Brenda Raffard, and she was presented with the junior marksman trophy, sponsored by the Kamsack Wildlife Federation, and presented by Leanne Green.
LAC Teanna Raffard was named the top first-year cadet and received a Royal Canadian Legion award from Jim Woodward. She was also named the top cadet team curler and received an award from Karen Bodnaryk, who sponsored the award.
Bodnaryk also presented LAC Mark Peequaquat with the special merit award that was sponsored by Maj. Tami Marchinko (nee Bodnaryk.)
LAC Joshua Hilton received the citizenship award sponsored by the Legion and presented by Lynn Baillie.
Cpl. Tara Taylor was named the top second-year cadet and received an award, sponsored by Leland Campbell LLP, from Joe Kozakewich.
Most improved first year cadet award, sponsored by Andrychuk Funeral Home, was presented to LAC John Dungen by Lori-Lou Dungen.
LAC Geri Basaraba received the physical training esprit de corps award, which was sponsored by the Kamsack RCMP and presented by Cst. Igor Tarabanko.
Sgt. Cade Henry-Martino received the senior marksman award, presented by Leanne Green and sponsored by the Kamsack Wildlife Federation.
An award for most improved physical training, sponsored by the Affinity Credit Union, was presented to LAC Boston Guillet by Audrey Horkoff.
Sgt. Aidan Broda received the top drill, dress and deportment award sponsored by Shining Armour Auto from Mike Guillet. Broda was also the recipient of a special four-year service award during the annual review, presented by Glaicar.
The squadron voted to give the Capt. Merv Ozirny Shield and accompanying cheque of $100 to WO2 Keanna Romaniuk, which was presented by Karen Bodnaryk. This special award has been handed out since 2005, and is given to the cadet who is the most supportive, helpful and friendly, based on a peer vote.
As emcee of the program, Karen Bodnaryk welcomed everyone to the awards banquet, and introduced the head table guests: Capt. Terry Eritz, reviewing officer; Milton Glaicar, of the Saskatchewan Air Cadet League; Kamsack Mayor Nancy Brunt; Russell Brunt; Kelly Hilton, chair of the cadets鈥� civilian committee; Lynn Baillie, representing the Kamsack Legion, and Karen Tourangeau, the commanding officer.
鈥淭he 633 Kamsack Royal Air Cadet Squadron and the civilian committee would like to thank our sponsoring body, the Kamsack Branch No. 24 Royal Canadian Legion. We also extend thanks and appreciation to the Good Spirit School Division, and the principals and caretakers of the KCI for giving us access to the facility,鈥� Bodnaryk said.
鈥淭his evening really is about you, the cadets, and recognizing that you made it through the whole year,鈥� said Ertiz. He encouraged the cadets to stick with the program and take advantage of what the program offers. He thanked the parents and community for their support role in helping the cadets succeed.
Speaking on behalf of the Town of Kamsack, Mayor Nancy Brunt said that 鈥渢he squadron has represented the town well.
鈥淭hroughout the past year, the young men and women on parade today have dedicated themselves to a course of self-improvement, self-reliance and self-respect.
鈥淵our town says thank you for each and every thing that you do in the community, and you do so much to make it a better place to live and a great place to call home.鈥�
鈥淚 was so honoured when I received the invitation to be a part of your parade and be here at the awards banquet tonight,鈥� said Lynn Baillie, who had brought greetings on behalf of the Kamsack Legion, which is the cadets鈥� sponsoring body.
鈥淭he cadet program is an amazing opportunity for youth. I, myself, went right through the program many years ago, and so did our two sons and daughter. Branch 24 is proud to be your sponsor and honoured to become a part of your lives. Keep up the good work.鈥�
Milton Glaicar of the Air Cadet League, spoke about the cadets鈥� curling program that had begun 64 years ago and encouraged the cadets to 鈥渓earn, serve and advance.鈥� adding that the skills one obtains from the program will benefit one in life.
鈥淭hank you to the training officers who thanklessly give their time and talents to provide a program for the air cadets. And thank you to the parents for your endless hours of support of the cadets, organizing functions and finding transportation to different activities.
鈥淭o the cadets, you are in a program that is hard to beat. Hold your heads high. This is something that you have done,鈥� Glaicar said. 鈥淩emember who you are and where you want to go.鈥�
Kelly Hilton congratulated the cadets and said that the parents are all proud of the squadron. She thanked Karen Tourangeau, the commanding officer, and Karen Bodnaryk, a civilian instructor who is a past commanding officer.
She thanked Christie DeBruyn, vice chair of the civilian committee, Brenda Raffard, secretary and Becki Patterson, treasurer, as well as Maddi Wosminity 鈥渨ho came out to help when she could.鈥�
鈥淔or me, this is a special night because my first granddaughter joined the cadet program this year,鈥� Tourangeau said. 鈥淚 look forward to working with her in upcoming years. Thank you to CI Bodnaryk and Capt. Eritz, and welcome to Cst. Igor Tarabanko of the RCMP, as he has consented to help with the cadets next year.鈥�
A special presentation of a Bulova table clock was made to William Koreluik, who recently retired as editor of the Kamsack Times, after a forty-year career with the newspaper. The inscription on the clock read: 鈥淲illiam Koreluik 鈥楤ill鈥� 鈥楽coop鈥� Thanks for taking the time. 40 years coverage. May 16, 2018. 633 RCACS.鈥� 2LT Tourangeau and Bodnaryk made the presentation on behalf of the cadets.
