Members of the 589 Carbonear Royal Canadian Air Cadet Corps are a proud group.
You only have to watch their eyes to see the enthusiasm as they march.
On May 27, at the corps' annual ceremonial review, it was no different. The corps proudly paraded in front of the reviewing officer, family, friends and members of the community.
After parading, the cadets set about showing the skills they learned over the course of the year. That ranged from a shooting demonstration, packing a rucksack and a flying tutorial, just to name a few.
Reviewing officer Maj. Clint Mowbray, commanding officer of 103 Search and Rescue at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) 9 Wing Gander, praised the corps for its performance.
"I thought they did a good job with putting together a number of displays and performances in air cadet fashion," he said.
One aspect that especially impressed Mowbray was the work of the corps' band.
At one point, the performance included a five-piece drumline, as well as performances by cadets on the glockenspiel. While the glockenspiel number was being performed, Warrant Officer I Mitchell Trickett kept beat on his snare drum, while Leading Air Cadet Victoria Hancock provided a hi-hat with her cymbols.
Mowbray called the overall presentation of the band "magnificent."
He said cadets are a great way to develop character in young men and women.
"Cadets learn the ability to be able to talk publicly, to be able to work in a team and the ability to lead that team," said Mowbray.
Cadets words
589 Air Cadets did not name a winner of the Lord Strathcona trust medal, but Warrant Officer II Jonathan Thoms did capture two coveted awards during the review.
He was named the most dedicated cadet and received the Royal Canadian Legion medal of excellence.
Thoms said he was unaware that his name had been put forward for consideration for the medal.
"I've won three medals before, and I look at this one the same as when I won the others," he said.
A seven-year cadet, Thoms said this past year has been the most enjoyable for him.
Sgt. Kelland Mercer felt the same way.
"I thought the year was excellent. I've been in it now for four years and I felt that this year has been the top year," he said.
Thoms serves as the corps band major, while Mercer plays the snare drum. Both were honoured as a part of the band with medals signifying their title as best cadet band in Newfoundland. It was an honour they won at a provincial competition earlier this year.
Commander's address
Capt. Jim Ash called the performance by the cadets "one of the better performances of the last few years."
After a couple of down years, 589 have experienced resurgence in numbers, swelling to 29 cadets.
"It has a positive effect because it brings more people to the movement and brings more interest at the squad and community level," said Ash.
Ash said the higher numbers in the ranks helped push the performance to the heights it experienced this year.
"I think everybody today was really pleased. Our band performed exceptionally well ... and the displays were well done. I think overall, it was a major success," he said.
