by Peter S. Milsom, President, Kemptville Branch, Navy League of Canada
This has been a curious year, a challenging year, and not a very fun time. Being sequestered in our homes, moving at cautious six-foot intervals through stores, never without our faces covered like lurking bandits, and wishing we could hit our favourite restaurant with the kids or family – all just constantly and firmly underscored the family COVID reality. But times they are a-changing for the better…. at least we all truly hope this is the case and our Sea Cadets and Navy League Cadets are hoping just as hard as the rest of us in North Grenville and region.
This is the first of many articles to come under the banner displayed here. The articles will cover a wide range of topics that will illustrate what your daughters, sons, granddaughters, grandsons, nephews, and nieces, or maybe just the kids down the block who are actively involved in the Naval Cadet Program in Kemptville achieve in the Program. These girls and boys – 9-12 years for Navy League Cadet Corps Assiniboine, or from 12 to 18 in Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Defiant, have spent the winter evenings learning and advancing, as best they could in a virtual environment, their skills in naval knowledge, drill, communications, team work, leadership, seamanship, and good citizenship. And this after they have spent long periods in virtual learning on the computer during the day. Their dedication has been truly remarkable!
The articles will mostly be about individual cadets, officers, and volunteers and their achievements, but they will also be designed to inform you all, as members of the public, on key events that hallmark the program here in Kemptville. For example, they will highlight the Change of Command Ceremonies for RCSCC Defiant and NLCC Assiniboine, the presentation to two deserving citizens of North Grenville and two cadets selected for the award of the Navy League 125th Anniversary Medallion, and the donation of a training boat to the cadet corps. They will also inform you of upcoming events and special registration opportunities to join the cadets, to become a member of the Navy League of Canada, to join the volunteer support for the corps, and to accede to membership on the Board of the Kemptville Branch of the Navy League of Canada. We may well be able to convince our fine cadet contributor, Petty Officer First Class Dilan Yildirim, to produce more of her excellent articles for you.
We are working extensively with the community, the Health Unit, and our DND guidelines to prepare for a safe return to in-person training for the cadets. Please keep your fingers crossed that we can avoid the development of a fourth wave and get back to normal living. In the meantime, watch for the banner for more good news about your young citizens of North Grenville.
