Fort St. John army cadets excited, nervous as 80th anniversary quickly approaches | CBC News
Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Cadets in Fort St. John, B.C., are busy getting ready for a big celebration with a very special guest next month.
It’s their 80th anniversary and the commander of the Canadian navy is set to be their reviewing officer.
“Everyone’s excited,” said Maj. Dan Davies, the commanding officer of the 2276 PPCLI Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, who is leading organizing efforts. “It’s a real great way to recognize everybody.”
The local corps has a unique history. It started in 1946 as the Canadian Army Service Corps after the building of the historic Alaska Highway during the Second World War, Davies said.
It was also, for a time, one of the few army cadet corps in the country affiliated with an airforce unit, the 450 and 447 Helicopter Squadrons, and once affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Rangers.
Today, the corps is affiliated with Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based out of Edmonton, Alta.
Freedom of the City
Davies is finalizing invitations to those groups and a few other important dignitaries: Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee of the Royal Canadian Navy, as well as cadet corps and leaders from across B.C. and Alberta.
The Fort St. John corps will be receiving the Freedom of the City, marching to city hall after completing their annual ceremonial review at the end of May.
“I’m nervous but I’m also very excited,” said Cadet Jason Wu. “It’s going to be one of the biggest events we’ve had in many, many years.”
Master Warrant Officer Elizabeth Binu is excited to be part of a big moment in local history.
“It’s giving me the motivation to get our cadets to the best of their abilities,” Binu said. “I want show cadets that small corps can also be good corps.”
Youth learn invaluable skills
There are close to 40 cadets in the Fort St. John program, with two new recruits welcomed at their weekly meeting last Wednesday.
It’s Wu’s sixth year in the program. As chief warrant officer, he’s the most senior cadet.
He says he’s learned more than just bushwhacking and expedition — but how to be a good citizen through volunteering and community service.
“It’s been such a big part of my youth,” Wu said. “You meet new friends, you get to travel places, so many unique experiences and opportunities.”
Binu is second in command after four years in the program. She says the skills learned and friends made have been invaluable in setting her up to succeed as she grows up.
“These are connections I intend on keeping for all my life,” she said. “I know so many people in the university I plan on attending just because of two courses I took.”
Cadets go on to big things
Davies says local cadets have gone on to do big things for the B.C. Peace region and the rest of Canada, serving as members of parliament and as MLAs.
“We have cadets that are commanding officers now of regular force regiments across the country, people that have gone on to do great things,” Davies said.
Even Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen — fresh off his historic Artemis II space flight around the moon — was a cadet, Davies is quick to add.
“In almost every interview, he reflects back on, I would not be here if it wasn’t for cadets,” Davies said.
“I think that speaks volumes. We emulate that here at this cadet corps, here in Fort St. John, and for the last 80 years.”
Subscribe to CBC’s Fort St. John Weekly for a roundup of the best news and stories from B.C.’s Peace and Northern Rockies.
