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Estevan's army cadets hold sunset service, hand out awards

Members of the corps, along with the pipes and drums band, paraded in front of the legion to start the ceremony, wrapping up their season on June 7 by hosting a sunset service in front of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Estevan branch. 

ESTEVAN - The No. 2901 Estevan (Elks) PPCLI Army Cadets Corps and Pipe Band wrapped up their season on June 7 by hosting a sunset service in front of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Estevan branch. 

Members of the corps, along with the pipes and drums band, paraded in front of the legion to start the ceremony, demonstrating what they have learned in terms of marches and music. 

People gathered in front of the legion to watch the service and the awards that were presented. 

During the ceremony, cadets were presented with a Standard of St. Andrew flag. According to Capt. Robert Rooks, the Standard of St. Andrew recognizes several significant points of interest and historical facts regarding the history of piping and pipe bands.

Rooks noted the Standard of St. Andrew was made in Northern Ireland. He then pointed out the entire St. Andrew Society Pipe Band in Edmonton joined the PPCLI at the outset of the First World War. 

“They lightened many a march for the soldiers and were stretcher-bearers on the front lines. My uncle Lester was one of those soldiers,” Rooks said.

The St. Andrew’s Society of Edmonton outfitted the pipers and drummers with instruments and kilts made from the tartans. 

In 1976 the local army cadet corps was authorized to form a pipes and drums band. The request was sent to the regimental headquarters for information on uniform requirements. All sorts of options were offered, but they had to wear the tartan. 

“The Standard of St. Andrew being the flag of Scotland, made in Ireland, recognizes the hard work of those who have learned and performed at a high standard, the music of the great Highland bagpipes and Highland drumming of Scotland. The standard will be carried on for ages,” said Rooks.

The flag was presented specifically to the pipe band, which belongs to the No. 2901 cadet corps, so the flag is for the entire corps. Most cadet corps have two flags, but Estevan now has three.

The awards portion of the evening saw army cadets recognized for outstanding achievements during the past year and members saluted for years of service. Cadets were promoted to new ranks while the graduating cadets received certificates. 

The Legion Medal of Excellence was presented to Kurt Balbuena and Graeson Nelson. Recipients must be well-rounded, model cadets, and be beyond reproach in all areas. 

The Lord Strathcona Medal went to Graeson Nelson, while the Wawa Shriners Legion of Honour Award went to Akara Reeves.

Approximately 25 cadets were part of the program this year. 

The list of awards is as follows:

Army Cadet Service Medal (Four years):

Abby Krupka

Jessica Slager

Andrew Dacio

Levi Hollingshead

Daniel Werner

Rebecca Duncan

William Duncan

Oleh Sych

Larry Kirkpatrick

Kurt Balbuena

Alyssa Dodd

Mya Fladeland

Graeson Nelson

Brayden Renkas

Army Cadet Service Medal (Five-year bar):

Kurt Balbuena

Alyssa Dodd

Mya Fladeland

Graeson Nelson

Legion Medal of Excellence:

Kurt Balbuena

Graeson Nelson

Lord Strathcona Medal:

Graeson Nelson

Wawa Shriners Legion of Honour Award Award: (“Cock of the Walk” award)

Akara Reeves 

Green Star:

Radburn Alfonso

Sky Kirkpatrick

Luke Sliva

Sofiya Vlezko

Red Star:

Andrei Balbuena

Silver Star:

Akara Reeves

Gold Star:

Levi Hollindshead

Master Cadet

Jessica Slager

Kurt Balbuena

Mya Fladeland

Graeson Nelson

Oleh Sych

National Star Certification Level 1:

Kurt Balbuena

Graeson Nelson

Mya Fladeland

Jessica Slager

Oleh Sych

Promotions to:

Band Drummer:

Kayla Mitchell

Pipe LCpl Jacob Pyra

Pipe Cpl Leo Mitchell

Pipe Cpl Alex Krupka

Drum Corporal William Duncan

To Lance Corporal: 

Michael Adebove

Radburn Alfonso

Andrei Balbuena

Jade Bedore

Sky Kirkpatrick

Luke Sliva

Sofiya Vlezko

Johanne Mabansag

Tanner Slinn

To Corporal (Cpl):

Andrei Balbuena

Tanner Slinn

Maksym Kratko

To Master Corporal (MCpl):

Brandon Driedger

Madison Holtz

Isabella Pelletier

Akara Reeves

Mackenzie Schoenthal

Andrew Dacio

Levi Hollingshead

Larry Kirkpatrick

Oleh Sych

Daniel Werner

To Sergeant:

Levi Hollingshead

Jessica Slager

Mya Fladeland

Oleh Sych

To Warrant Officer (WO):

Kurt Balbuena

Graeson Nelson

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