Bonfire & Parade

The snow-that’s-here-to-stay arrived in early October.  The brown ground was no longer visible . . . unless you used a shovel.  The sounds of roaring skidoo engines came a day or two later.    (Snow had fallen a few times in September but instantly melted when it touched the ground).  I waited an extra week before using my skidoo.  People were still out boating but had to dress warmly because the temperature was dropping with each passing day.  I assumed ice would form in the bay at the end of the month.  October is also the month when the days become noticeably shorter.  There is night in September, but it’s not too noticeable.  The sun will disappear behind the mountains on November 11.

Saturday, October 14, was a perfect day for the army cadets of 3045 Corps to head out to the large woodpile behind the airport and have a bonfire.  The large woodpile is next to the shoreline and started in 2013 when cadets began cleaning the area of unwanted garbage and debris.  The discarded pieces of wood float from the community during the brief summer months.  Holding a bonfire in October is a nice way to bid farewell to summer, welcome winter, and spend some time out on the land.

The cadets assembled outside the school gym at 6pm for roll call.  Then they loaded a pickup truck with everything we set aside for the bonfire: food, juice, foldout chairs, matches, Firestarter sticks, flashlights, garbage bags, roasting sticks, shovel, bucket, first aid kit, and toilet paper.  I drove the borrowed pickup truck and I assigned a senior cadet to drive an ATV and pull a trailer.  A local RCMP officer volunteered to assist with transportation and polar bear protection.  He also brought an extra ATV.

We arrived at the airport at around 6:45pm.  The cadet disembarked and transferred the supplies over to the trailer.  The cadets then got into the trailer and were driven down to the shoreline.  I rode on the RCMP’s ATV.  We left the pickup trucks at the airport.

The cadets built a bonfire while I organized the food table.  A large round wooden table sits next to the woodpile and has been there for a very long time.  Once the fire was going, I gave the cadets permission to indulge in hotdogs, marshmallows, and juice boxes.  They used roasting sticks to cook their food.  The RCMP officer & I did the same.

The bonfire lasted for an hour & 15 minutes.  We extinguished the fire by dumping snow and pouring water.  Following the rules of No Trace Camping, we packed the leftovers and bonfire supplies into the trailer.  The cadets were driven back to the airport.  I left last after inspecting the area.  Everyone safely returned home.

3045 Army Cadet Corps held its first Parents Night Parade of the 2023-24 Training Year on October 18.  Awards, badges, & promotions are handed out in the presence of parents, guardians, and community members.  I also make announcements on future cadet events.  This parade was extra special by the presence of the Northwest Command Team.  More on them coming up.

The cadets & I arrived an hour early to set up the gym.  We put out tables, chairs, flags, snacks, and awards.  The cadets then changed into their green dress uniforms.  I was already wearing mine.  Doors opened at 6:15pm and people started coming in to find seats.  I stood in the lobby, anxiously waiting for the arrival of the Command Team.  They’re officers in charge of looking after all the cadet corps in the northwest region, like a boss of bosses.  They arrived several minutes before the start of the parade.  A sergeant-major, a major, and a lieutenant-colonel.  Lieutenant-Colonel Diduck is the Commanding Officer of Northwest Region.

The parade started at 6:30pm.  I marched into the gym, escorting the Command Team to the front.  Lt. Col. Diduck received the General Salute & playing of the national anthem.  The cadet parade commander and second-in-command escorted Diduck and the sergeant-major through the ranks for inspection.  I kept the audience entertained by reading a brief biography about the lieutenant-colonel.  He & the sergeant-major returned to the front to observe the March Past.

Lt. Col. Diduck gave a brief speech to the cadets & audience.  He thanked & congratulated the cadets for looking their best and showing off their drill.  He thanked the audience for supporting the cadet corps and encouraged parents/guardians to help whenever they could.  He added that this was his first time visiting the community.

The parade moved on to awards & presentations.  I started with marksmanship badges.  We had quite a few to hand out across all four levels.  I called out the names and the cadets had their pictures taken with the Lt. Col.  Next, I announced the winners of Stage 1 Biathlon and instructed them to come to the front to be recognized.  The chosen cadets already knew they made the team.  I announced it again because it was Parents Night.

The next batch of awards were from the Annual Ceremonial Review (ACR) Parade in May.  The nameplates arrived in the mail a few days ago and I wanted to give the winning cadets the opportunity to past their nameplate onto the corresponding trophy and/or plaque.  The awards were: Most Improved Cadet, Best Boots & Deportment, Top Female / Male Athletes, and Top Cadet.  The cadets were also honoured to have their pictures taken with the Lt. Col.

Former 3045 commanding officer Lt. May briefly took over the parade to hand out Long Service Medals to 4^th & 5^th year cadets.  He is one of the liaisons for the Army Cadet League.  He also awarded Certificates of Appreciation to two civilian volunteers who frequently help at the corps.

A senior cadet was recognized for completing a regional expedition trip in Manitoba in early October.  She participated in hiking, canoeing, camping, and map & compass.

Lt.-Col. Diduck & Lt. (ret). May. 

The Command Team continued the parade with a Commander’s coin presentation.  Lt. Col. Diduck awarded coins to four individuals, one cadet & three adults.  A senior cadet received a coin for being the first cadet in 3045’s history to successfully complete the Canadian Forces Basic Parachuting Course this past summer in Trenton, Ontario.  It is the most physically & emotionally demanding course of the cadet program.  Successful cadets complete five static line jumps from a height of 1,250 feet.  Four jumps during the day & one at night.  The vice-principal of Inuujaq School received a coin for supervising several cadets at the Ottawa Airport returning from summer camp.  Lt. May & I received coins for our hard work promoting the cadet program & running Canada’s most northern army cadet corps.

The last presentation was promotions.  Nine cadets received promotions.  Three were promoted to the rank of Corporal, three were promoted to Master Corporal, one to Sergeant, one to Warrant Officer, and one to the second highest rank of Master Warrant Officer. 

I did the Closing Remarks & made a few announcements on what cadets could expect until December.  The Command Team observed the Advance In Review Order, General Salute, and the playing of God Save The King.  I then escorted them out of the gym.  The parade was done.

The cadets & I posed for a group photo with the Command Team before heading to the reception table.  I thanked the Command Team for visiting Arctic Bay.  Lieutenant Colonel Diduck and his staff mingled with the cadets & visitors.  Reception lasted 25 minutes.

I held a short debriefing with the cadets after reception.  The Lieutenant-Colonel once again congratulated the cadets on a job well done and encouraged them to continue attending cadets and encourage their friends to join.  The cadets were dismissed to help me clean up the gym.  Everyone was done by 8:30pm.