The 32 Beothic sea cadet corps in Harbour Grace may be small in number, but what it lacks in size it makes up for it with gusto and determination.
The nine cadets who were on deck for the 60th annual ceremonial review June 3 at St. Francis school in Harbour Grace were praised for the "determination and dedication" they showed in what was described as a challenging year year.
The corps entered last fall without a commanding officer until reviewing officer Lt.-Cmdr. Don Reid from Hopeall stepped in and made a commitment to take over until January.
Reid said he was proud of the work showed by the cadets, who demonstrated its skills on parade, as well as marksmanship, knot tying and fire fighting static displays.
"Your displays this afternoon show what a group of dedicated cadets can do," he said.
Reid said it was pleasure to be invited back to the corps he left in January as reviewing officer and to have to opportunity to see the finished product.
"I'm glad that you stuck together and didn't let it go," he said.
Chief Petty Officer Samantha Crocker said she and her fellow cadets were confronted with some instructional challenges once the corps was reactivated when Reid came on board.
"There are certain things cadets have to learn, and it was tough having to catch up," she said.
As things started to pick up, Crocker said she could see the dedication in her fellow cadets.
"You could tell that they really wanted to be there," she said. "It was hard getting everything done with so few numbers, but they did really well."
Lt. (N) Brian Quinn came on as the commanding officer for 32 Beothic in December, when he transferred from the Nova Scotia detachment to Newfoundland.
"When I came on, I knew what the challenge would be and I knew it was going to be hard," he said.
Quinn said there were some challenges in keeping cadets and having cadets show up to mandatory events.
"You know what, there are these cadets that show up every time and they see that cadets isn't just silliness. They get to do things normal kids don't get to do," he said. "I can assure you that the cadets before you today are some of the most dedicated and determined young men and women that you will ever have the pleasure of knowing."
Small band, big sound
The 32 Beothic band does not have the most members, but it has a big sound.
"We like to say they may be small, but they're mighty," said Quinn.
The four-piece band impressed all members of the audience with some interesting song choices that included the Super Mario theme and the theme from the movie Top Gun.
"There was a bit of a mix up with who as in the band, but we figured it out and we did pretty good with it," said Crocker.
A great job
All of the cadets on deck were congratulated on the performance they out forward.
"The cadets did amazing," said Quinn. "They put together a display that would rival or surpass any that I've seen before with larger units.
"It's amazing what you can do with so few people."
Provincial Navy League of Canada representative Don Peckham praised the senior cadets for the displays put forward.
"You were very imaginative ... and the whole affair, including the static displays were well executed and are a credit to everyone one of you here," he said.
