CO'S YEAR-END MESSAGE

608 Dukes have had a fantastic training year!

Marching through the streets of Belleville to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day with our Squadron was my personal highlight.

Gliding, tagging, Orienteering Competition, collecting for the Gleaners Food Bank, Leadership Weekend, Poppy Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Dinner, Scholarship Exams and Interviews, Geo-caching, trip to the Cosmodôme in Montreal, Marksmanship Competition, Drill Competition, Spring FTX, Bowling, Canada’s Wonderland, and a Squadronn Bar-B-Q!!! What a year!!!!

I would like to bid farewell to four of our senior cadets who are moving on to another adventure in their lives. Best of luck to FSgt Curtis Livingston, WO2 Matthew Neal, WO2 James Pearson, and WO1 Connor Ahearn. You should be proud of your accomplishments and thank you for all you have contributed to your Squadron.

Thank you Maj (Ret’d) Bob Morris for your dedicated years as Squadron Sponsoring Committee Chair. Your knowledge, experience and advice has shaped the Duke of Edinburgh Squadron into a fantastic place for our youth.

Welcome to our new Squadron Sponsoring Committee; Susan Vincent – SSC Chair, Karen Campaigne – SSC Co-Chair, and Cathy Henry – SSC Treasurer. Thank you for volunteering to be part of the ‘DUKES!’

We have been very fortunate this year to have the expertise of two Military Members. Sgt Peter Weir from 8 Wing CFB Trenton’s DART Unit has been invaluable in assisting our  Training Section with his knowledge of Orienteering, Geo-Caching, Range, and Outdoor  Adventure. Sgt Jasmin Bolduc, Load Master from 8 Wing CFB Trenton’s 429 Sqn, and Percussionist with the 8 Wing Military Band has been sharing his knowledge with our 608 Squadron Band. Thank you, Sgt Weir and Sgt Bolduc for your time and interest in our ‘Dukes!’

To the Staff of 608 Squadron – thank you Lt Heath, Lt(N)Miller, Lt Leadbeater, OCdt Nelson, and OCdt Kurkoski for a fantastic year! You have  all contributed to the success of our Squadron’s Training Year!

To the Cadets of 608 Squadron – thanks for an AWESOME year! I have enjoyed following your cadet careers. I am very proud of you and your accomplishments. You are excellent ambassadors of your city, your country, and the Canadian Cadet Organization.

To Learn – To Serve – To Advance

K.S. Dixon Capt, Commanding Officer – 608 Dukes