The Royal Canadian Air Cadets 340 Griffin Squadron of Port Elgin hosted a holiday dinner for family and friends on Tuesday, December 13th at Faith Lutheran Church social hall.
The Royal Canadian Air Cadets is a national organization for Canadian youth between the ages of 12 and 19 and is a result of a partnership between the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces and the Air Cadet League of Canada.
The local Squadron meets for regular training weekly from 6:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday evening at “The Griffin” at 348 Carlisle St. (Airport) in Southampton, or virtually, throughout the school year with optional training, including sports, marksmanship and other activities. In addition, in July and August, many summer training activities are available to cadets at no cost.
It was a surprise beginning to the dinner when Cadet Sgt. Curtis Metcalf gave a Cadet Address to the guests and then was called forward to receive a promotion to Warrant Officer 2 (WO2) by Captain Bruce Schoettler.
The official sponsors of 340 Squadron are the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 340 in Port Elgin and Branch 155 in Southampton. While the Squadron has a Sponsorship Committee (SSC), it is currently searching for more candidates. Normally, the SSC has a minimum of five individuals but is presently at two members following COVID. Therefore, they are actively pursuing parents, or members of the community to join.
Each year, leading up to Remembrance Day, cadets are seen out and about in the community playing a key role in accepting donations for the Poppy Fund. As part of the cadet program, they give back to the community as part of the values that they learn in being a cadet. Some who go through the Cadet program, go on to have a career in Canada’s military serving their country.
