A contingent from the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Fraser is taking part in an adventure of a lifetime.
Eleven cadets and four officers from the corps are departing for New Zealand on April 20, when they'll begin a two-week exchange to the north island of New Zealand. It's a reciprocal visit between Canadian and New Zealand cadets, who visited B.C. in 2011.
According to a press release from Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Fraser, the pinnacle of the exchange is participation in the Anzac Day ceremony on April 25.
Anzac Day (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps Day) commemorates all New Zealanders who have lost their lives in war and honours returned servicemen and women.
The date also marks the anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915.
"Having participated in an Anzac Day ceremony in 2003 as a cadet, I am delighted to enable my current cadets to participate in the same experience," said Lt. (N) Bryan Watson, executive officer of the corps. "Being a dawn ceremony, it is very awe inspiring to hear the trumpets sound the last post and the bagpipes play the lament as the sun rises over the ocean."
The cadets will be attending the ceremony at Mount Maunganui, two-and-a-half hours south of Auckland. The cadets have been doing considerable fundraising in the community to go on the exchange.
"We are very grateful for the support we have received over the past year," said Petty Officer First Class Shayne Madhavan.
In addition to Anzac Day events, the cadets will spend time touring civic facilities and participating in native kiwi culture in Auckland, Rotorua and Tauranga. The trip's highlights will include visits to the Waitomo glowworm caves, the Waimungu Thermal Valley Experience and participating in the Mitai Hangi and concert at the Mitai Maori Village.
The Royal Canadian Sea Cadets program, which is for youth aged 12 to 18, meets on Thursday nights between 6: 30 and 9: 30 p.m. at 555 Derwent Way on Annacis Island. The primary training of cadets is free to cadets and uniforms are provided.
For more information, visit JoinSeaCadets.ca.
A historical third
A pictorial history of The Royal Westminster Regiment has taken third place in the Lieutenant Governor's Medal for Historical Writing competition.
The Royal Westminster Regiment recently learned that For King and Country: 150 years of The Royal Westminster Regiment placed third in the 2013 Lieutenant Governor's medal for Historical Writing competition.
"What fantastic news about the award," said Honorary Colonel Karen Baker-MacGrotty in an email to The Record. "We are absolutely delighted with the recognition for this amazing legacy project to mark our 150th anniversary year.
Baker-MacGrotty said the regimental book committee worked endless hours last fall in order to publish in time for the beginning of 2013 - the regiment's 150th anniversary year.
"It truly shows what can be accomplished when a group works together for a common cause," said Baker-MacGrotty, chair of the Celebration 150 committee. "I still can't believe it. We had no idea it would be recognized at this level considering the calibre of the other entrants from around the province. The pictorial history is just one of many legacy projects and events planned by our Celebration 150 committee to mark this significant milestone. Lots more to come throughout the balance of the year."
The book is currently priced at $100, but a special price is being offered in May, when the book will be $80, or $150 for two copies. The special will celebrate both the Crossing of the Melfa River and the Celebration 150 regimental family reunion weekend taking place in May.
To order a copy of the book, go to www.vivalogue.ca/index.html.
