Two cadets of the Aldergrove 1922 regiment have returned home from training camp in Vernon with high honours.
Emily Long, 14, and Oliver Cole, 17, were both awarded the ANAVETS, known as Army, Navy, Air Force Veterans, Cadet Medal of Merit.
鈥淚鈥檝e been with the army cadet program for nine years now and I鈥檝e never had any of my cadets ever receive an award like that,鈥� said Capt. Simon Turner, commanding officer of the 1922 Royal Westminster Regiment Army Cadets located in Aldergrove.
The medal is awarded to the top cadet in their training course for overall outstanding achievement, leadership and physical fitness.
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Thousands of cadets from across Canada attend summer training and up to thirty-one medals are awarded, according to Capt. Turner.
鈥淚 am extremely over the moon proud of all my cadets,鈥� he said.
Cole was awarded the ANAVETS medal for his completion of the basic parachutist course.
鈥淭hat course is the absolute toughest course in the army cadet program,鈥� said Capt. Turner. 鈥淚t is also one of the top toughest courses in the actual Canadian Forces.鈥�
Cole鈥檚 father, Neil Cole, said it was a surprise when his son鈥檚 name was called out because this medal has never been awarded for the parachutist course before.
鈥淚t was a really neat thing as a father to see, it was a course of 50 people and 49 other cadets mobbing him and hugging him and congratulating him,鈥� he said.
鈥淸Oliver] looked quite surprised, he was very happy,鈥� Neil added.
Cole will be entering his final year of cadets in September, but plans to join the regular forces next year with the Princess Patricia鈥檚 Canadian Light Infantry, according to his father.
鈥淗e鈥檚 very dedicated and very focused,鈥� said Neil. 鈥淲hen he sets his mind to something then 鈥� I鈥檝e just always tried to encourage him, that he can do whatever he wants to do as long as he sets his mind to it and puts in the effort then he鈥檒l be able to accomplish it.鈥�
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Meanwhile, Long who received her medal for the expedition instructor course will be eligible to continue with cadets for another few years until she turns 19-years-old and ages out of the program.
Long鈥檚 mother, Sarah Long, said she first introduced her daughter to cadets after seeing an ad online to join.
鈥淚 thought this is completely out of her element, but I would like her to try it and see if she likes it,鈥� said Sarah. 鈥淪he really got into.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 changed my daughter,鈥� she added.
Long later wrote a letter for the cadets to help inspire new cadets to stay in the program.
鈥淚t was very telling of the kind of person she is,鈥� said Sarah.
Long is an honour student at Aldergrove Community Secondary and a volunteer lifeguard at the Walnut Grove community pool while she works towards becoming a certified swim instructor.
New cadet registration will begin on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. in Aldergrove. More information about cadets can be found at .
joti.grewal@blackpress.ca
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