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Sea Cadets back in action in Kitimat

The Sea Cadets have returned for another go after the Navy League was disbanded locally a few years back.
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Kitimat sea cadets are inspected on parade at their hall.

Kitimat’s Sea Cadets are back on parade after a big push last year to see the Navy League re-established.

Now that everyone’s uniforms are in it’s back to the routines for the enrolled Kitimat youth, 11 in all so far but the executive is very optimistic that they’ll see dozens more in the coming year.

Among those 11 are four returning cadets as well.

Captain Rob Buller is the Kitimat unit’s commanding officer, who got the ball rolling on bringing the unit back.

He said that they’ve been formally parading since November 6.

The unit is formally known as 205 RCSCC Kitamaat and is the same title as the prior Sea Cadet group, however this new Navy League is entirely distinct from last time. Seana Lee, who at one time in the past did serve as the Navy League’s vice-president in Kitimat, is this time the president.

Cadets in the program so far range in age from 12 years old to 17. Cadets can be in the program until they turn 19.

Captain Buller said that they are hoping to see more cadets join their ranks. Those interested can show up to the sea cadet hall on Konigus Street on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

Buller said an extra incentive for cadets is that those who join before the end of January will be eligible to possibly attend summer training.

Meanwhile the local cadets are gearing up for the year’s first major competition, a marksmanship event scheduled to take place in Prince George in February.

Buller said he was happy that the District of Kitimat allowed them the use of the hall, which has been a fixture in Kitimat since the early 1970s.

It was a seamless transition to get the hall open again, as most of the furniture remained, and the rest was a matter of getting the utilities back and checking out the furnace.

You are likely to see the Cadets out fundraising — you may have had one or two come to your door last weekend on a bottle drive — because, said Buller, despite some beliefs, the costs of running the Cadet unit isn’t entirely covered by the Department of National Defence. While some administration equipment, uniforms and a few activities (including the marksmanship competition)  are covered, much of what the Cadets do in a year such as canoeing excursions are not.

So far the Cadets have received strong support from community sponsors, and tax receipts are available for those who still want to donate.

League president Lee said she believes strongly in this program, which was great for her own kid, and encourages others to join the executive as well.

She’s open to phone calls about the Cadets to 250-639-0313.

Earle Dawson, secretary treasurer, is also open to calls and he can be reached at 250-632-7270.