May 27, 2010
 
Dear Lieutenant Novak,
 
I'm not sure who to contact about this, I do hope you will pass on my sentiments to the young men and women from your 604 Moose Royal Canadian Air Cadets.
 
I was elated to see on CTV news recently that the Air Cadets from your Squadron are volunteering to clean up the grave stones in the Veteran's Field of Honour at Queen's park cemetery.  Both my parents are buried there. My Dad served in the RCAF and my Mother was in the Fire Brigade.
 
I have been appalled at the lack of upkeep to the grave sites by the City of Calgary. If I go to visit my parents grave site I bring scissors for cutting the grass etc...I've often thought if I moved away from Calgary for any significant length of time I might not be able to even find my parents headstones as they are sinking into the ground and the grass would be left by the city to grow over them.
 
I don't know who's idea this was -but it's great. My parents would both be thrilled- if they were alive:) I'm very touched by this gesture and I'm sure family members with loved ones in the Veteran's Field of Honour feel
the same.
 
Please pass on my sincere gratitude to the Cadets of your Squadron.
 
Sincerely,

Name Withheld for privacy

Six bright and brave young 604 cadets competed in 604’s Effective Speaking Competition at Mewata on Saturday, March 6, 2010.  The first and second place finishers progress to the next level of competition, Southern Zone, this upcoming Saturday, March 20, where they will compete against competitors from 11 other squadrons.

Three of the cadets (A.C.s) are in their very first year and the three corporals are relatively young cadets as well.   The cadets who participated were: 

Chiriac, Cpl.

                                                Qin, Cpl.

                                                Seefried, Cpl.

                                                Dunnill Jones, A.C.

                                                Duke, A.C.

Who, A.C.

   1^st Place Winner: Cpl. Julia Qin

            2^nd Place:  A.C. Tegen Dunnill Jones

                                                 3^rd Place:  A.C. Lewis Who

I commend all the cadets for their courage in standing up to speak and compete.    

Our CO, Captain Van Apeldoorn, was there to support the cadets and was pleased with their efforts.   He pointed out that the skills learned in this important program will greatly benefit these young people both in their careers at Cadets and in their careers and lives in the future as well.

As one of the three judges, I gave all six competitors full marks for originality!  They were also judged on their intro, content & organization, persuasiveness, delivery & style, and their conclusion.  They had to give both a prepared and an impromptu speech.  Active squadron volunteer Collin Tsui gave the cadets a number of workshops on impromptus last fall.  Collin was not able to attend this competition but he would have been pleased with how well the cadets rose to the occasion when given the topic “My Favourite Moment at the Vancouver Olympic Games” and a mere three minutes to come up with a speech! 

Thank you to parent volunteer and Effective Speaking Coordinator Guy Metcalfe who has done a great job working with the cadets this year and in organizing last Saturday’s competition.  His own past experience with Toast Masters was evident as he MC’d the event and explained to the audience the various aspects of competition and the preparation required of the cadets.  Thank you also to parent volunteer Narmin Keshavjee for her assistance in getting the program up and running.

Thank you to former cadet parent and program coordinator, Rick Andruszko, for his assistance this year with the event.  Thank you to Susan Meronek who served as the event’s Lead Escort and provided the refreshments.  Courtney Andruszko served as one of the three Judges at this event.  She is herself a former 604 ‘Moose’ Effective Speaking competitor and winner, who in previous years progressed through Local, Zone, Provincial, and National levels to win medals at the Air Cadet League of Canada’s National Competitions.  Courtney remains with the squadron as CI Andruszko.  She was on hand afterwards to give some additional coaching to the cadets. 

Thank you to the following parent volunteers:  Rob Beingessner who volunteered as the Teller, Colleen Dunnill Jones who served at the Timekeeper, and Alok Sahai who took care of Set Up.

I also wish to thank Stephen Menduk, a friend of our Sponsoring Association Chairman Bryan Bliss, who kindly volunteered his time that day to be a Judge at our competition.  We are especially appreciative of folks who have no kids in our squadron yet give of their time to benefit our cadets.  Stephen said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience. 

So did I -- and I look forward to being involved with the Effective Speaking Program in future.  If your cadets have any interest in a program that teaches them to think on their feet and hold their own in a crowd -- invaluable life skills – I encourage them and you to attend the Southern Zone Effective Speaking Competition.  I’m sure that L.A.C. Dunnill Jones and Corporal Qin will appreciate your support in the audience and you will enjoy seeing so many talented cadets. 

Southern Zone Effective Speaking Competition

Saturday, March 20, 2010

10:00 am (sharp)

Forest Lawn Legion, Branch 275

755 – 40 St. SE

Calgary

For detailed info on the Air Cadet League of Canada’s Effective Speaking Program:

http://www.aircadetleague.com/en/infoforcadetsandsquadron/contestcompetitions/

Theresa Schemenauer

604 ‘Moose’ RCACS

League Representative

Captain Kris Van Apeldoorn received the Canadian Forces' Decoration on Saturday, October 24th 2009 from Lieutenant Colonel Micheal Milligan, Commanding Officer Regional Cadet Support Unit (Prairie), while attending the Annual General Meeting of the Air Cadet League of Canada, Alberta Provincial Committee.  The Canadian Forces' Decoration recognises individuals who have completed twelve years service and have a record of good conduct.  Captain Van Apeldoorn commenced his uniformed service in the Canadian Forces Reserve - Cadet Instructor Cadre in February 1997 as Supply Officer for 225 'Taber' RCACS.  Upon completing his career as an Air Cadet in January 1992, Captain Van Apeldoorn aided in the recruitment of cadets to establish a Army Cadet Corps for 11 Service Battalion in Victoria, BC, then volunteered as an adult staff member with 7 'Penhold' RCACS for three years commencing in September 1993; he began his enrolment process to join the CIC in September 1996. 

Additional information on the Canadian Forces' Decoration may be found at: 

http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhr-ddhr/chc-tdh/chart-tableau-eng.asp?ref=CD

Approximately 55 cadets signed for Gliding three weeks ago, and unfortunately only 40 are able to be accommodated by the gliding zone.   Selections were made taking into consideration the need for supervising cadets, and to meet level training requirements.  Cadets who signed up and were not selected for this gliding activity will be selected for the spring gliding event.  

Cadets must be prepared to travel to the Netook Gliding Zone regardless of the weather - we go rain, snow or shine.  Dress for the weather, take gloves, a hat, running shoes and warm jacket, along with a lunch and water.  Be at the Armoury No Later Than 0745.  The cadets should return to the Armoury by 1700hrs.

The following cadets have been selected to participate in familiarization gliding, this Saturday October 24, 2009.

Cadets MUST inform the Commanding Officer, via email, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , if they are unable to participate, so that a replacement participant can be found.  Out of consideration of those individuals who were not selected for this event,  If a cadet who signed up does not attend this session and fails to inform the Commanding Officer, their flying privledges shall be suspended. 

At present there is one vacancy for participation, the first cadet to notify the Commanding Officer of their desire to go gliding will have their participation confirmed by 1600hrs on Friday, October 23, 2009.

Please see the 2009 - 2010 recruting handbook!  This handbook contains everything you need to know about 604 and the cadet program!

Download HERE