Air Cadets – 74 Years in the Making

Wednesday 31 May 2017, the 325 Cornwall Kiwanis Royal Canadian Air Cadets held their 74^th Annual Ceremonial Review at the Cornwall Armoury. Their reviewing officer was Honourary Colonel to the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders Jim Brownell. The Annual Ceremonial Review is an annual parade held at the end of the training year in which cadets are inspected and have an opportunity to show off their skills and knowledge obtained from the program that year.

This year was certainly a busy one as anticipation for next year’s 75^th Annual Ceremonial Review will be one for celebration. This year’s parade was essentially a practice for what is to come next year.

With the 75^th Annual Ceremonial Parade now in our foresight, plans for reunions and other functions are starting to form. It is estimated that in over 8000 youth from the Cornwall area have taken advantage of the Air Cadet program solely through 325 Squadron. Many of whom have become prominent figures in local businesses and services.

325 Squadron was formed on September 20^th, 1943, shortly after WWII as a means of training young boys and men so they were prepared to join the Royal Canadian Air Force should the need arise. Since then, the program has taken a very different approach, still training young men and women in aviation but with the focus of citizenship, leadership, community service and promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Cadets themselves are not part of the military, but 325 has seen several become members of the Canadian Armed Forces in various careers.

Almost on a yearly basis, 325 sends one or two cadets to earn their pilots license each summer through a scholarship made available from the Air Cadet League, in partnership with the Department of National Defense and Transport Canada.

We anticipate a large number of previous cadets will be thrilled to hear that there is a reunion in the works. We encourage all past cadets of 325 to follow our Facebook page and website; www.325aircadets.com to stay up to date with the forthcoming, exciting celebrations for our 75^th Annual Ceremonial Review.

The squadron has also proudly been sponsored by the Cornwall Kiwanis club this entire time, for which the squadron bears its name. Royal Canadian Air Force Association Wing 424 is also a key supporter and sponsor of the squadron.