Back to Cadet Corps Database 2801-2900 page

Corps de Cadets #2804 Cadet Corps

2007

 

 

The Parents' Committee held it 2nd Annual Brunch & Auction Fundraiser.

Line Gagnon, the driving force of the committee, worked long hours to prepare for this event, held during Casselman's Winter Carnival.

This one day event raised over $3000.00 for the Cadet Corps.

Parents preparing food (Photos Pierre Cornoyer and Line Gagnon)

 

Mrs. Line Gagnon (left) and Mrs Wathier, while supervising the Silent Auction. (Photos Pierre Cornoyer and Line Gagnon)

 

Cadets serving food to the community.  Over 200 plates were served. (Photos Pierre Cornoyer and Line Gagnon)

 

Sgt Wathier and Pte Moran serving food. (Photos Pierre Cornoyer and Line Gagnon)

 

Though Brunch was served from 10am until 1pm, work started at 7am sharp for many.  20lbs of bacon, 20lbs of sausage and 20lbs of ham were served. (Photos Pierre Cornoyer and Line Gagnon)

 

Viewing the articles in the Silent Auction.  All items sold were donated by area businesses. (Photos Pierre Cornoyer and Line Gagnon)

 

The Brunch has already become a community event, not just a Cadet Fundraiser.  Many hungry people had no attachment to the Cadet Corps.  They attended and ate, just to meet up with friends and family. (Photos Pierre Cornoyer and Line Gagnon)

 

Mr. Robert Gill is a man with many hats.  He is a restaurant owner and cook by day, Corps' Training Officer by night.  Here, made especially for the Brunch, he wears his camo chef coat and hat to show his support. (Photos Pierre Cornoyer and Line Gagnon)

 

 

May 22, 2007 Mr Laplante, a local resident, hand carved two crests to the Cadet Corps. From Left: Capt Cournoyer, 2Lt Crocco (holding RCAC crest), Mr Laplante, Cpl Bernatchez (holding Medical Services Branch crest) (Robert Gill)

May 22, 2007 The Cadet Corps prepared a banner to send to ALL Canadians currently in Afghanistan. The "Canada Day Banner" will be presented to a representative of NDHQ on May 30, 2007. One member is also gearing up for the Stanley Cup finals....Robert Gill. (Robert Gill)

 

29 May 2007, Capt Cournoyer invited Maj Garand, CD, a Flight Surgeon to be a guest speaker. She had served at the Role 3 Multi-National Hospital at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. Maj Garand spoke of the differences in climate, wild life, plant life and cultures she experienced in Afghanistan. She also spoke of the work she did while there and many of the hardships that she had to endure. Maj Garand captured the complete attention of all cadets and staff within seconds of beginning. To thank her for her amazing presentation, which include close to 100 photos and short stories, Maj Garand was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and a Cadet Corps baseball cap. (Robert Gill)

 

Cadets were given a chance to ask questions and one in particular sparked an odd reply. When asked what moment defined her tour, she replied, "Kraft Dinner saved my life." After an exhausting 20 hour shift, Maj Garand decided to skip the mess hall food for a bowl of microwavable Kraft Dinner. As she was eating, the mess hall was hit with an enemy rocket and destroyed the area where she usually ate. Her decision to eat Kraft Dinner saved her life. (Robert Gill)

 

 

Ottawa, Ont – General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff, welcomed a contingent of four army cadets representing 2804 “Casselman” Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC) on Wednesday, May 30 as they presented a Canada Day banner to him. 
The banner, signed by over 100 cadets and members of the Casselman community, will be sent on to Afghanistan to wish all Canadians deployed there a Happy Canada Day. 
This is the second banner 2804 Corps has sent to the troops in Afghanistan. Last November, a banner was sent to the Multi-National Hospital in Kandahar, which arrived just in time for Christmas. The cadet corps also sent Christmas cards to personnel working on the base there.
Representing the Corps were Cadet Master Warrant Officer Ghislain Gagnon, who is the Corps’ Sergeant Major, Cadet Warrant Officer Karyline Wathier, Cadet Master Cpl. Francois Laporte, and Cadet Pte. Nathalie St-Denis. The four cadets were chosen based on merit, training results, dress and deportment and overall participation in the army cadet program. 
Captain Pierre-Archer Cournoyer, Commanding Officer of the corps, and Army Cadet League of Canada member Robert Gill, who volunteers with the corps and who designed the banner, escorted the cadets. Also on hand was Member of Parliament Pierre Lemieux (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell) who was instrumental in coordinating this important project for his constituents.
A former army cadet himself, General Hiller greeted the four cadets and staff members very warmly and quickly dispelled the cadets’ initial nervousness. They spent a total of 25 minutes with the General who imparted some important words of wisdom and advice. “The CDS is obviously extremely busy and for him to take such a large amount of time out of his daily schedule to meet with our cadets was very much appreciated by all of us,” said Capt. Cournoyer. 
Following the presentation of the banner, Gen. Hillier presented all members with a Chief of Defence Staff Coin in appreciation of their efforts and as a lasting memento of their visit.
The cadets were thrilled to meet Gen. Hillier and speaking to such an outgoing and captivating individual left a lasting impression on them. The cadets were all smiles following the presentation. “Wow! That was really fun!” said Cadet Warrant Officer Wathier. Cadet Master Warrant Officer Gagnon added a more formal “Sir, that was impressive!”

Outside the Chief of Defence Staff Office. (Robert Gill)

 

General Hillier chatting with the cadets. (Robert Gill)

 

Spring Field Training Exercise 1-3 June 2007, in the Larose Forest.

Cadets reviewing Map and Compass before heading into the field. (Robert Gill)

 

Cadets testing the stoves and lanterns before heading to the field. (Robert Gill)

 

Section Commanders receiving orders before heading out to their stands for small party taskings (Robert Gill)

 

Cadets after a quick lesson on cam and concealment (Robert Gill)

 

The "Spider Web" is a challenge which uses leadership, communication, teamwork, problem solving and a little hard work. Cadets must go through a hole, but never use the same hole twice. (Robert Gill)

 

 (Robert Gill)

Cadets also tried "Trust Falls" (Robert Gill)

 

 

This is the very begining of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. We were going to cheer for Ottawa, no matter where we were. Many crowded around a 5" black and white TV to watch the Sens beat the Ducks 5-3. (Robert Gill)

 

Cadets playing volleyball during Sports night on 25 Sep 07 (Robert Gill)

 

Cadets playing badminton during the Sports Night, 25 Sep 07 (Robert Gill)

 

The Commanding Officer, Capt Cournoyer, had a special announcement to make. 2804 Casselman was the winner of the Lord Strathcona Trophy, awarded to the Top Small Army Cadet Corps in Eastern Ontario Area. The Cadet Corps achieved this difficult task in only 2.5 years. (Robert Gill)

 

(Robert Gill)

 

 

On 16 October, 2804's affiliated unit, 28 Field Ambulance (Ottawa) paid a visit to the Corps. The 8 members of 28 FD Amb spoke about the unit's role in the Canadian Forces. 28 FD Amb also had also set up a basic medical field station, along with a HMLVW, LSVW Ambulance and the new MilCot.

Capt Paul discussing the role of 28 FD Amb (Robert Gill)

 

(Robert Gill)

 

Cadets being shown the different medical equipment and were permitted to "play" with it. (Robert Gill)

 

(Robert Gill)

 

 C/Cpl Gamache was chosen to play the role of casualty, to show the cadets the procedures that the medical staff would follow. (Robert Gill)

 

C/Cpl Gamache being loaded into the ambulance. (Robert Gill)

 

Cadets inside of the ambulance. (Robert Gill)

 

CWO Cole, RSM 28 FD Amb, was on hand to make a special presentation to C/MWO G Gagnon.  CWO Cole presented C/MWO Gagnon with his very own pace stick (his to keep) and then proceed to promote the C/MWO to the rank of C/CWO. (Robert Gill)

 

The Cadet Corps also showed off it's new trophy, the Lord Strathcona Shield.  The Shield, given to the Top Small Cadet Corps in Eastern Ontario Area, will stay at the Cadet Corps for the entire training year. (Robert Gill)

 

Rather than present a boring "Certificate of Appreciation" or a plaque, the Corps handed a banner of support to 28 FD Amb for their work on this night. (Robert Gill)

 

2804 and 28 FD Amb Group Photo, 16 Oct 2007 (Robert Gill)

 

 

2804 hosted its 3rd Annual Veterans' Night. The evening, held during Canada's Veterans' Week, allows cadets to meets with veterans and currently serving members. This year's guest speakers included: Col Fletcher, CD (DCdts and JR), Cdr Canuel, CD (former XO of HMCS Ottawa), LCol Goulet, MMM, CD (former CO 28 Fd Amb) and Sgt Bedard, CD.

This wreath was sent to Kabul, Afghanistan, to be laid at its memorial by Cpl Widdowson. Cpl Widdowson, a member of 28 FD Amb, is currently serving in Kabul. (Robert Gill)

 

Col Fletcher and the inspection party inspecting. (Robert Gill)

 

(Robert Gill)

 

Cdr Canuel and LCol Goulet (Robert Gill)

 

Col Fletcher inspecting Cdt Templeton (Robert Gill)

 

Numerous packages are ready to be shipped to Afghanistan! (Robert Gill)

 

Cdr Canuel made a presentation on Canada's roles in the conflicts since WW1. He included a special section on the Canadian Navy's role in Op ALTAIR. Cdr Canual served on HMCS OTTAWA for Op ALTAIR during the winter of 2006-2007. (Robert Gill)

 

Cdr Canuel was presented a banner of support. Cdr Canual will be shipping this banner to the crew of HMCS Charlettown. CHARLETTOWN departed for Op ALTAIR on 1 Nov 2007. (Robert Gill)

 

The wreath, was sent to Kabul and was laid at the memorial thanks to Cpl Widdowson. (courtesy Robert Gill)

 

 

All pictures are from 4 December 2007

Some of the staff. From left, Capt C Trachy, 2Lt A Hebert, Cpl B Bernatchez, Sgt (Ret) N Bedard and Capt D Curle (ACO Army EOA) (Robert Gill)

Cadet signing a banner to be shipped to Afghanistan. (Robert Gill)

Capt P Cournoyer receiving the Colonel Maddox Award for the Top Small Cadet Corps in Ontario from Ms Pam Odam (nee Maddox). (Robert Gill)

2Lt Hebert receiving his commissioning scroll from LCdr Reed (Det Comd EOA) (Robert Gill)

C/CWO Gagnon receiving his NSCE Certificate from Capt Cournoyer (Robert Gill)

 

Maj Bradley (CO 28 Fd Amb) receiving a package from Mr Claude Brunet of the Casselman Optimiste Club. The Optimiste Club was approached by the Cadet Corps to help send school supplies to the children in Afghanistan. (Robert Gill)

Cadets and Mr Brunet with packages headed to school children and Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. To date, 2804 has sent over 30 packages to some 20 different soldiers. (Robert Gill)

The Colonel Maddox Trophy (Robert Gill)

The keeper plaque, which also came with a cheque for $500. (Robert Gill)

 

On December 18th, 2007, 2804 had its annual Christmas Dinner. The Corps melds traditions from the Regimental Mess Dinners and the Men's Christmas Dinner. This year's special guest was OCdt Schwam, currently a student at RMC and a former Army Cadet with 2784. (Robert Gill)

 

 (Robert Gill)

 

 (Robert Gill)

 

2Lt Hebert serving cadets. (Robert Gill)

 

Capt Cournoyer and Lt Gill. All dressed up. (Robert Gill)

 

OCdt Schwam and Capt Cournoyer (Robert Gill)

 

C/MCpl Lamoureux with HRH Prince Edward during a Duke of Edinburgh event in Ottawa. (Oct 07)

HRH Prince Edward speaking with cadets and staff present from 2804.