B4

By Madeleine Leclerc

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(Madeleine Leclerc photo)

A lighter moment - Lieutenant Cathy Ringuette, Commander of the 314 Squadron, could not contain a chuckle as a taller Sergeant Christian Laforge knelt down to receive his silver medal of attendance during the local squadron's annual inspection.

With rain beating down on their heads, those attending the Grand Falls Air Cadets 314 Squadron's annual inspection on June 7 chose instead to hold the event inside the Militia headquarters located on Madawaska Road. Tables and chairs were quickly moved indoors. Reviewing officer, Lieutenant Commander Robert Langevin walked up and down the lines of stiff-backed Cadets, inspecting them from head to their spit-shined boots.

During the past year, Cadets were busy with various activities and fundraising events. These included gliding in Miramichi, three bottle drives, two wake-a-thons, a Halloween dance, a trip to Val Cartier, Quebec, bush survival, rifle and drill competitions, a chocolate sale, a collection of donations for the Diabetes Foundation, participation in the "Clean Up My Community" program as well as a car wash with proceeds donated to the Regional Food Bank.

Awards presented

The best overall trophy, awarded to the Cadet who showed the most determination throughout the year, was presented to Warrant Officer Karo Voisine.

Voisine was also awarded the Lord Strathcona Medal, the highest recognition which a Cadet can earn for physical and military training.

Flight Sergeant Ricky Michaud received the Royal Canadian Legion's Cadet Medal of Excellence in recognition for his individual endeavours in citizenship that meet or enhance the aims and objectives of the Cadet movement.

Other awards included the following:

- Best Seniors - Warrant Officer Second Class Cindy Côté and Sergeant Matthew Strong.

- Best Juniors - Corporal Christopher Ouellette and Corporal Megan MacMillan.

- Best Senior Band - Sergeant Marc Thibodeau.

- Best Junior Band - Leading Air Cadet Janelle Tardif.

- Best Shooting Senior - Flight Sergeant Ricky Michaud.

- Best Shooting Junior - Leading Air Cadet Rogny Levesque.

- Best Uniform - Sergeant Christian Laforge.

- Best Fundraisers - Leading Air Cadet Tony Daigle and Leading Air Cadet Justin Campbell.

- Best Recruit - Leading Air Cadet Rogny Levesque.

- Best Rookie Cadet - Leading Air Cadet Tanya Dubé.

- Best Team Spirit Biathlon - Flight Sergeant Josée Côté.

- Best Squadron Team Spirit - Sergeant Christian Laforge and Leading Air Cadet Crystal Ouellette.

- Sportsmanlike - Sergeant Terry Beaulieu and Leading Air Cadet Tony Daigle.

- Most Improved - Flight Sergeant Todd Cyr and Corporal Briana Currie.

- Most Devoted Cadet - Flight Corporal Jannie Dupuis and Flight Sergeant Riko Michaud.

- Gold Medal of Attendance - awarded to the Cadets who did not miss a day of training throughout the year - Warrant Officer Second Class Cindy Côté, Flight Sergeant Josée Côté, Flight Sergeant Todd Cyr, Leading Air Cadet Rogny Levesque, Corporal Christopher Ouellette, Warrant First Class Karo Voisine, Flight Sergeant Ricky Michaud and Flight Corporal Jannie Dupuis.

- Silver Medal of Attendance - awarded to the Cadets who miss a day of training throughout the year - Leading Air Cadet Kent Cyr, Sergeant Christian Laforge, Corporal Megan MacMillan, Leading Air Cadet Crystal Ouellette, Sergeant Matthew Strong, Leading Air Cadet Jannelle Tardif, Leading Air Cadet Tanya Dubé and Leading Air Cadet Tony Daigle.

- Bronze Medal of Attendance - awarded to the Cadets who miss two days of training throughout the year - Corporal Matthew Degooyer, Corporal Kevin Guay, Sergeant CJ Tardif, Sergeant Marc Thibodeau and Leading Air Cadet Shayne Bourgoin.

- Cadet Medals of Service - given to the Cadets after four years of service in the Cadet movement - Sergeant Terry Beaulieu, Flight Sergeant Josée Côté, Flight Sergeant Todd Cyr, Flight Sergeant Ricky Michaud, Flight Sergeant Riko Michaud, Sergeant Matthew Strong, Sergeant CJ Tardif and Sergeant Marc Thibodeau.

Five Cadets who graduated this year were also presented plaques to mark their distinguished service to the squadron: Warrant Officer First Class Karo Voisine, Warrant Officer Second Class Cindy Côté, Flight Sergeant Ricky Michaud, Sergeant Terry Beaulieu and Sergeant CJ Tardif.