Article appeared in the June 9, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
No. 182 Stefnufastur Air Cadet Squadron
A group of 58 12 to 18-year-old Royal Canadian Air Cadets gathered at Hangar 1 in the Gimli Industrial park for their squadron’s 27th annual inspection, on May 31.
The cadets, all members of the No. 182 Stefnufastur Air Cadet Squadron, came from locations across the Interlake to mark the end of the year’s training, with a formal inspection and parade, made complete by the visiting 177 Air Canada Cadet Band, who provided bag pipe and drum accompaniment during the parade.
“This is our annual ceremonial review, the last parade of the year for these cadets,” said Capt. Lenny Irvine, the commanding officer.
The ceremony was attended by parents and community members, government representatives, Squadron officers, and members from, both, Gimli and Winnipeg Beach Royal Canadian Legion branches.
Addresses were given by Gimli Legion President, Lorne Kasupski; Air Cadet League of Manitoba representative, Leah Brunger, a pilot and graduate of Squadron 182; Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training, and Trade, Peter Bjornson, who later gave out the awards; and Reviewing Officer, Capt. Marie Pemkowski (Retired), who was later honoured for her 22 years of service.
Several awards were given out at the ceremony. A “Long Service Medal”, for four completed years of air cadet service was awarded to Sgt. Stacey Irvine. Two cadets, Kenny Durocher and Andrew Hancox, received silver level Duke of Edinburgh awards. Dozens more awards were scheduled to be given out at a banquet that followed at Misty Lake Lodge on Jun. 5.
The annual ceremony was extra special this year because it was also an event to honour Capt. Marie Pemkowski. She retired from Squadron 182 in Dec. 2010, after 22 years of service. During the ceremony event, she conducted her last inspection of the squadron, along with the reviewing party that included Kasupski, Brunger, and Bjornson.
After the inspections and speeches were complete, Pemkowski received a presentation for her many years of service, along with several retirement gifts. From No. 182 Stefnufastur Air Cadet Squadron, she received a carved wooden propeller clock and a watch; The sponsoring committee (formed from members of the Gimli branch of the Royal Canadian Legion) honoured her with a replica of a biplane; and the parent’s committee presented her with a lovely bouquet of red roses.
After the ceremony, the audience was invited to mingle with the officers and cadets and enjoy refreshments and dainties.
The Air Cadet program is funded in large part by the Department of National Defence. It is the largest federally sponsored youth program in Canada.
Air cadets can stay on with the squadron anywhere from one to six years, until age 19. Cadets learn skills throughout the year in general knowledge, leadership, citizenship, physical fitness, air crew survival, meteorology, and anything else relating to flight.
“Stefnufastur” means “swift and sure” in the Icelandic language. The Air Cadet motto is, “To learn, to serve, to advance.”
