Royal United Services Institute of
Vancouver Island (RUSI-VI)

West Coast Cadets Receive Award

By Steve Fortin

Five Royal Canadian Army Cadets and one Royal Canadian Air Cadet received the Duke of Edinburgh's Award November 15 in a ceremony at the lieutenant-governor's official residence in Victoria, B.C.

Cadet Gordon Hallam of the Canadian Scottish Regiment in Victoria, Cadets Ryan Deveau, Nicole Morrison and Alex Redden of Princess Patricia's in Victoria, Cadet Trillian Mitchell of Seaforth of Canada in Vancouver and Cadet Afraj Gill of the North Delta Sky Hawks Squadron of Delta, B.C. received badges and certificates from British Columbia's Lieutenant-Governor Steven L. Point.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award was created by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1956, and was instituted in Canada in 1963. Today, more than 120 countries around the world grant this award, to encourage young people aged 14 to 25 to be active, take part in new activities and pursue their interests by setting goals for themselves and reaching them while having fun.

The Duke of Edinburgh program is very compatible with the general mandate of the Cadets Program. "In both cases, physical activity is encouraged, the direction, the role of young people in their communities and a sense of initiative and adventure," says Gerald Pash, of Navy Public Affairs in Esquimalt. "These are values that are inherent to the path taken by a young person taking part in the Cadets Program. The badge that the young people receive when they accept this award is recognized by the CF and, according to the established standards, soldiers who were once cadets are allowed to wear it on two occasions - when they receive it and when in the presence of a member of the Royal Family."

Parents, friends and members of the military community attended the presentation of the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards. It was with honour that the six cadets accepted their badges and certificates of merit. It was a day they will not soon forget . ? the Maple Leaf, 3 December 2008.