Colonel tells 851 Prince Edward cadets they’re trained for ‘best career in the world’

The 851 Prince Edward Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron was honoured Saturday during its 41st Annual Ceremonial Review.

851 Prince Edward Squadron cadets were honoured for a year of accomplishments during the final parade of the season, Saturday, June 2 at the Prince Edward Community Centre.

Colonel C. Daniel Harris, Director of the Military Family Services Division for the Canadian Forces was the reviewing officer for the 41st annual ceremonial parade.

Harris, who grew up in an air force family in Prince Edward Island, “the other Prince Edward”, honoured the cadets following the awards ceremony.

“You were absolutely tremendous today,” he said. “Standing before you here in Picton is truly amazing, such a wonderful experience for me,” he noted, reflecting on “the best career in the world”.

Harris received logistics and transportation specialty training, earned his loadmaster wings and completed the Masters of Defence Studies program. He deployed as a Mobile Air Movements Officer on numerous domestic exercises as well as international operations – including as Commanding Officer of the Third Location Decompression Site in Cyprus for Rotations of the Battle Group, and the Joint Task Force (Aghanistan) Headquarters Elements.

He has served on many bases throughout Canada, the United States and overseas. Upon completion of the NATO Defence Collage in Rome, he was promoted to his current rank and is now director of the Military Family Services Division.

“I look at your program and review what you done and what it entails – the leadership and team building, to the physical fitness and discipline and right down to the very technical training you’re getting as part of this program… and I say you’re a lot better turned out than I was as a young adult joining the Canadian Armed Forces.”

Harris admitted he was never an air cadet, but always wished he was.

“I always wished I would have taken advantage of the opportunity that I had to be an air cadet in Summerside, and I missed it. I can tell you it would have helped me get recruited. It took me two or three interviews in the recruiting office to actually be accepted and selected in the Canadian Armed Forces and I can recall vividly the recruiting officer saying that having air cadet experience would really help me.”

“I will always remember and if I ever got the opportunity to speak to young cadets I would tell them how valuable your training is.”

Harris, as director of Military Family Services in Trenton, also gave a shout-out to the families, friends and supporters of the Prince Edward Squadron.

“I am really proud. It brings tears to my eyes to watch the ceremonies so I can only imagine how proud the parents are. We’re all family here today – one community. I couldn’t have got to the level of career that I did without the support of my family – growing up, parents and siblings, and even now, I would not be operationally effective in the Royal Canadian Armed Forces if it wasn’t for the support I get from my spouse and my two children, so you are all critical to the dreams and aspirations they have.”

“Cadets, I hope you’re going to take the skills, the experience, the knowledge that you’ve gained at 851 Prince Edward Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron right to us at the Canadian Armed Forces – Royal Canadian Air Force in particular – because we have a lot to offer. Not only a fantastic profession, and obviously a chance to serve your country, but countless opportunities for your physical and mental well-being through professional developments. We’re always expanding our knowledge, training and learning as we go.

“And of course, travel. I always say pictures are worth a thousand words, but so is travel. The opportunity to see different areas of the world, different cultures, how they think, how they operate and just to expand your own base of knowledge, your own experience.”

Give some thought to the future. The experience you’re obtaining right here is going to help your whatever your future endeavours might be.”

Col. Dan Harris presents FCpl Jackson Molyneux with the Reviewing Officer’s Award for Best Dressed Cadet at the annual review.

Captain Adam Kidd, Commanding Officer of 851 Squadron presents LAC Payton Blakely Haennel the Commanding Officer’s Award for Top First Year Cadet.

Capt. (Ret’d) Malcolm Campbell and a representative of the Kinsmen Club of Picton, present LAC Roarke Drover with the Most Improved Cadet Award.

FSGT Carey Evans receives the Cadet Instructor’s Award from MCpl (Ret’d) Mike Slatter, and Diane Kennedy, President, Branch 78 Royal Canadian Legion, Picton.

FSGT Izzabella DeCastris receives the Air Rifle Marksmanship Award presented by Robert Bird 415 Prince Edward Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Association of Canada representative and Major (Ret’d) Brian Burke, past president for 415 Wing. She shared the award with Aaron Wilk.

Aaron Wilk was presented the Kiwanis Club of Picton Jack Ward Memorial Award for Esprit de Corps from Linda Wilson, president of the Kiwanis Club.

FCPL Jackson Molyneux received the Branch 160 RCL Golden Boot Award from MWO (Ret’d) Gil Charlebois and Brad Fish, of the Branch 160 Royal Canadian Legion, Wellington.
648 – Rhea Lounsberry and family presented the Jim Lounsberry Memorial Sponsoring Committee Fundraising Award to FCPL Jackson Molyneux.

CDT Montanah York receives the Branch 160 RCL Golden Boot Award from MWO (Ret’d) Gil Charlebois and Brad Fish, of the Branch 160 Royal Canadian Legion, Wellington.

Liam Young receives the Rotary Club of Picton Citizenship Award from David Burn, representing the club. Young shared the ward with FCPL Jackson Molyneux.

Rhea Lounsberry and family presented the Jim Lounsberry Memorial Sponsoring Committeee Fundraising Award t0 FCPL Jackson Molyneux.

WO2 Matthew Cohen was congratulated by Dora Hockney, wife of the late Group Captain Bill Hockney, and Captain (Ret’d) Doug Yates, 415 Wing for receiving the Group Captain Bill Hockney Memorial Bursary. Cohen also received a Retiring Cadet gift from Captain Adam Kidd. He also received the Retiring Cadet Award.

CPL Liam Young was presented the Training Officer’s Award by OCdt Mike DeCastris, Training Officer for 851 Squadron.

CPL Britton Creasy received the Most Improved Marksman award from Capt. Sean Murphy, Zone Training Officer for South-Eastern Ontario Area, and Regional Cadet Support Unit Central Representative; with Shannon Munns, daughter of the late Robert Munns.