The discussion turned to boots for the blue-uniformed youths waiting to file into the regular 533 Squadron Air Cadet parade meeting held a week before Remembrance Day.
“You gotta use spit,” one taller youth told several new recruits. “Spit on your boots!”
Minutes later, the cadets, aged 12 to 17, formed rigid lines and came to attention before quickly marching around the St. Albert Community Hall. The newest cadets still wore civvies, but everyone else, with various levels of shine on their boots, wore the traditional uniform. Along with members of the St. Albert Army Cadet 3069 Corps, these youths will take part in the Remembrance Day parade from the Legion to the cenotaph. The importance of the practice was clear to everyone.
Five senior cadets carried two flags as well as ceremonial guns. A drummer kept the marching cadence for the 70 youths marching in formation around the hall. In many ways it was like a dance, with every foot lifting to the beat and heads and shoulders turning upon command. Even the new recruits looked as if they had done this all their lives and saluted smartly before their commanding officer, Captain Andrew Lejeune.
This was the first week back for the youths because their regular training activities were cancelled the week of Oct. 20 to 25 following the deaths of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo. In addition, new security measures have been put in place nationally for all cadet squadrons and corps.
Lejeune asked the cadets to share a minute of silence with him, saying, “Warrant Officer Vincent and Cpl. Cirillo are in our thoughts. What happened to those men is one of the reasons we march November 11.”
New safety precautions mean the cadets will only wear their uniforms during sponsored cadet activities and events and on parade nights. They will not be allowed to wear the uniforms to services during school hours, but they were asked to wear them to represent 533 Squadron during the Legion Poppy Blitz event held Nov. 1. They will be required to wear them again during the Remembrance Day parade.
“This year it’s very important to come to help to show your support for your country, for cadets and for those who have served,” Lejeune said.
Anticipating the ceremony on Remembrance Day is a big deal, said Flight Sergeant Andrew Bremault, 17, who has been a member of the Air Cadet Squadron for four years.
“It always makes me think of the hardships they went through. We’re standing out in the cold and there must have been so many times they were out in the cold too,” the Paul Kane high school student said.
Warrant Officer Joseph Schafers, 18, said he finds himself thinking of the newer, young veterans who have returned from Afghanistan.
“You see those younger soldiers, back from Afghanistan at the Remembrance Day parade. It’s not just about honouring those who died. It’s also about the returning soldiers. They’ve been through worse. The least we can do is turn out to pay our respects,” he said, noting that at the poppy-blitz days he is always amazed at the way the Legion members thank him.
“Every time, they say, ‘ thank you.’ We should be thanking them,” Schafers said.
