37 Bradford Orville Hand Air Cadet Squadron reached another milestone on Thursday night. The new squadron held its first full Commanding Officer’s Parade and inspection, as a fully-fledged and independent squadron.
When the squadron was launched last year, it was as a satellite of 94 Newmarket Squadron. Initially, 32 young members between the ages of 12 and 18 signed up for the youth program, which provides training in military drill and discipline, aviation and avionics, but primarily focuses on leadership and citizenship.
The current enrollment now stands at 52, and most of those Cadets – including a number of new recruits – participated in the parade at Fieldcrest Elementary School.
They formed up in the school gym for inspection by Capt. JP Johnson, Acting CO, who was accompanied by special guests Air Cadet League of Canada Director Stephen Chait, and Mike Giovanetti, past president of the Bradford Legion.
Giovanetti was instrumental in persuading the Bradford Legion to support a new Bradford Air Cadet Squadron, and winning support from the town. In recognition of his efforts, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Ferguson Mobbs, a Governor of the Ontario Provincial Committee of the Royal Canadian Air Cadet League, presented Giovanetti with a National Certificate of Merit in front of the 37 Bradford Squadron.
“You make me proud,” Giovanetti told the air cadets. “You make the Legion proud.”
At the parade, Capt. Johnson also announced the promotion to the rank of Flight Corporal of a number of second year cadets, who have completed six months of training and their Level 2. He congratulated each one in front of their peers.
Chait, who attended the first C.O.’s Parade last year when the Bradford cadets were still a Flight of 94 Newmarket, congratulated the squadron, and invited all young people between the ages of 12 and 18 to consider the Air Cadets program.
“The squadron is always open to new Cadets. They are welcome,” he said. “The door is always open to kids who want a great life experience.”
Among those watching the C.O.’s Parade was Legion member George Neilson, who praised the program.
“They make friends from other schools, friends for life,” Neilson said of Cadets, noting that the program provides life skills and career opportunities. “Some of them will be military people. Some of them will be pilots…. This is what it’s all about.”
The 37 Bradford Orville Hand Air Cadet Squadron meets Thursday evenings, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Fieldcrest Elementary School in Bradford. Cadets will be participating in Sunday’s Remembrance Parade in Bradford, which starts from the TSC Plaza at 1 p.m., and ends at the Bradford Legion, 115 Back St., with a service and wreath-laying.
For more information on 37 Bradford Orville Hand Air Cadet Squadron, click here.
Note: The Squadron is named for the late Orville Hand, who served in the air force and was a strong supporter of the Legion in Bradford, known as the Royal Canadian Legion Orville Hand Branch 521.
