East Vancouver is home to Canada’s newest Royal Canadian Air Cadets squadron.
Members of 59 Vancouver celebrated the granting of its charter, which officially makes the group of cadets a squadron, on Oct. 15.
The ceremony, held at the Royal Canadian Legion, Grandview Branch 179 on Commercial Drive — home to the new squadron — included much pomp and circumstance.
The charter was officially presented, along with the squadron banner, and the assumption of command documents were signed.
“It feels awesome to finally be our own squadron now,” said fourth-year cadet Jasmine Chan. “I just recently joined [59 Vancouver], but I am still really happy.”
Jasmine’s mom, who was snapping pictures of her daughter throughout the ceremony, said she was really proud of the newly minted group.
“I think it allows them to be independent and to have a sense of ownership,” said Winnie Chan. “To be able to establish their own [squadron] means it’s almost as if a child has grown up and now they are on their own.”
Though there has not been a 59 Vancouver squadron since 1972, it originally formed in 1941 just after the Royal Canadian Air Cadets was organized to train young men for the military. In 1941, 59 Vancouver squadron had 80 cadets who paraded out of King George secondary school. Most of the high school squadrons disbanded at the end of the Second World War. Those still in existence went through various amalgamations with other squadrons. From 1964 to 1972 a squadron, which included 59, paraded out of the Beatty Street Armoury. The squadron disbanded that year due to a lack of cadets.
As previously reported in the Courier, without a squadron of their own, eastside youth travelled to North Burnaby to parade (take instruction) with squadron 759. About three years ago the Burnaby group began bursting at the seams so the idea was floated to form a squadron for youth living on the city’s East Side At the time, Lt. Sarra Lyford was one who led the charge to resurrect the long defunct squadron.
At the official charter and parade ceremony, Lt. Lyford was promoted to captain and commanding officer of the new squadron.
“When 759 started up this new squadron, I was really excited to help. I never thought I would be in charge, but this has been a really rewarding experience,” said Lyford.
“When we started we had 12 existing cadets from 759. We had six brand new kids who didn’t even know what the word cadet meant, and now look at it.”
There are now 70 members of 59 Vancouver Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron.
The need to form the new squadron is part of increasing interest in air cadets nationally.
“The program is growing,” said Maj. Dave Timms, who founded an air cadet squadron in Squamish 12 years ago and was present as part of the East Vancouver squadron’s reviewing party.
According to Timms, there are 53,000 cadets in Canada and there’s a mandate to grow the program to 70,000.
“We live in East Van so when we heard that this started up last year we instantly came here,” said Jermaine Ma, whose son Ethan is a second year cadet who recently moved up to the rank of corporal.
“There is discipline and routine and my son enjoyed that, but they implement a lot of fun and games through this program through the year, which puts the fun into it. …He has actually introduced a couple of classmates and now they are participating.”
Air cadets is for youth 12 to 18 years old. There is no obligation to join the military after cadets.
For more information, go to vancouverfalcon.ca.
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