June 10, 517 Flight Lieutenant Graham Royal Air Cadet Squadron held its 73rd Annual Ceremonial Review (ACR), presided over by Lieutenant-Colonel Dan Arsenault, commanding officer of 405 (Long Range Patrol) Squadron, 14 Wing Greenwood; at the Credit Union Centre Arena in Kingston.
Arsenault applauded the Cadets for their performance in their first parade since COVID-19 activity restrictions lifted. The skill and decorum displayed on the square was a “testament to their commitment to the program.” On hearing of the various community involvement activities award recipients participated in over the past year, he remarked, “we don’t know how they find the time for Cadets!”
517 Squadron Commanding Officer Captain Rhonda Bull, who has witnessed the Cadets “crawl, walk and run” this year as they returned to regular programming, echoed Arsenault’s sentiments, and was proud to celebrate the Cadets’ achievements among family and friends.
“Being here in person is so much better.”
This year, the squadron was able to stand up both its flag and drill teams, the latter of which took second place in provincial competition. Warrant Officer Second Class Melvari Rezaei Neoi, recipient of the Jim Wallace Memorial Citizenship Award, represented the squadron in regional, provincial and national public speaking competitions, taking first place in both this year’s Zone 1 and provincial events. The squadron’s field training exercise May 26 to 28 was also recounted as one of this year’s big successes. Not only were the Cadets able to stay in tents for the first time in years, but Bull surprised the group with the field promotion of Warrant Officer 1st Class Olivia Milligan. At the ACR, Milligan was also awarded the Top All Around Cadet award prior to graduating from the program.
Though not every Cadet received an award during the ACR, they were all congratulated on the incredible amount of effort they committed to the program this past year.
“(In this program), you have to work hard – then you’ve earned the right to play hard,” Bull said, as squadron members would be rewarded that evening with a pizza and bowling party to celebrate the end of another successful year.
Major (retired) Robert Johnson, sponsor chairman and president for the Royal Canadian Air Force Association (RCAFA) 107 Valley Wing, announced during his address the Cadets’ longstanding sponsor will sadly be closing its doors June 16. The association presented the squadron with one final gift during the ACR: a cheque for $12,000. Bull thanked Valley Wing for their generous donation. 107 Valley Wing has been a sponsor for 517 Cadet Squadron for almost three decades, providing the financial means for countless programming and activities for the Cadets.
As Bull prepared to hand the reigns as commanding officer for the squadron to the incoming Captain Jacqueline Roberts June 15, in her ACR concluding remarks, she reminded “her” Cadets, “we never say goodbye in this program – it’s more of a see you later.”
The Cadets were happy to find out Bull will be remaining with the squadron as their new supply officer.
Promotions to sergeant: Alexander Leduchowski, Connor Gray, Rainin Hawkes, Gilliane Laxamana, William Place
Promotions to flight sergeant: Dominc Benjamin, Rhylin Clarke, Shawn-Elliot Anouan, Alice Milligan, Berfin Ilbeyci
Promotion to warrant officer first class: Olivia Milligan
First Aid Badge: WO1 Olivia Milligan
Fitness Incentive Level – Bronze: LAC Kayla Anouan, FSgt Connor Aubichon, Cpl Layla Comeau-Gravel, Sgt William Place, FCpl Sable Roberts, Cpl Willow Rogowsky
Fitness Incentive Level – Gold: Cpl Davidson, FCpl Mathieu Dubé, Sgt Gillianne Laxamana
Fitness Incentive Level – Excellence: WO2 Trey Pickens and LAC Ayva Roy
4 Year Perfect Attendance: WO2 Aiyana Barrieau
Perfect Attendance 2nd Year – Sgt Connor Gray
Perfect Attendance 1st Year – FSgt Sean Anouan
Perfect Attendance (1 absence) 2nd Year – WO2 Sierra Taylor
Perfect Attendance (1 absence) 1st Year – FSgt Americk Anouan, Cpl Kayla Anouan, Cpl Willow Rogowsky, Cpl Sophie Van Tassel
Top Level 1 Award: LAC James Cook and Cpl Teghan Bell
Top Level 2 Award: Cpl Andrew Surek
Top Level 3 Award: Sgt Alexander Leduchowski
Top Level 4 Award: FSgt Alice Milligan
Jim Wallace Memorial Citizenship Award: WO2 Melvari Rezaei Noei (also took first place in effective speaking zone 1 and provincials, and competed in nationals)
Esprit de Corps Award: Sgt Alexander Leduchowski, Sgt Rainan Hawkes
Top All Around Cadet Award: WO1 Olivia Milligan
Legion Medal of Excellence: WO2 Ayiana Barrieau
Lord Strathcona Medal of Excellence: WO2 Trey Pickens
