​Kincardine Air Cadets gather for second annual Christmas mess dinner

About 65 people, including members of the 183 Typhoon Squadron Kincardine Air Cadets, officers, families, friends and guests, gathered for the second annual Christmas mess dinner, held at the Kincardine Legion, Monday night, Dec. 18.

Piper John Farrell of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band marched in the head table which included guest of honour Lt.-Col. (retired) Jim Gale, Lt.-Commander (retired) Steve Shute and his wife, Colleen, commanding officer Captain Richard Miller and his wife, Lori, Lt.-Col. (retired) Ryan Eyre, president of the mess committee, and Dave Carson and Robert Grey of the Kincardine Legion.

Eyre welcomed everyone and laid out the rules for the mess dinner which is steeped in 200 years of tradition within the Canadian and International Forces. The dinner is an opportunity for the cadets and officers to gather and interact in a formal but relaxed setting.

Following a delicious turkey dinner, served by Legion volunteers, Eyre outlined the significance of the Table for the Fallen Soldier which was located beside the head table.

This special place setting symbolizes that our fallen comrades are with us, in spirit. We should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation's call to serve, and served in the cause of freedom in a special way. We are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured the agonies of pain, deprivation and death.

The table setting symbolizes the following:
 

• The table is round - showing our everlasting concern for our fallen soldiers
• The tablecloth is white - symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call of duty
• The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of our fallen soldiers, and the loved ones and friends of these soldiers who keep the faith
• The vase is tied with a red ribbon, a symbol of our continued determination to remember our fallen soldiers
• A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those who will never return
• A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by the families of those who have sacrificed all
• The Holy Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country
• The glass is inverted - they cannot toast with us at this time
• The chair is empty because they are no longer with us

The assembly raised a toast to the King, and to our Fallen Comrades, followed by a March Past.

Gale then addressed the assembly, noting that he was proud and honoured to attend the mess dinner as he has enjoyed a long association with this squadron.

“I attended my first mess dinner in 1958,” he said. “I was a first-year cadet with 79 Squadron in Port Colborne.”

He was a cadet, then an officer, and served in the air force for 32 years. After he retired, he was a director with the Air Cadet League for 24 years.

“I spent 65 years going to mess dinners,” said Gale. “I likely attended more than 100 of them. I’m so pleased to be part of this dinner tonight at Christmas time as we look forward to gathering with our families and friends and share in the traditions of this holiday.”

He said one of his favourite traditions is to think back over the year and be grateful for the many benefits he has received.

“One of my favourite memories was being a member of Air Cadets,” he said. “I went on to the Royal Military College and became a fighter pilot which involved a lot of training. Without the benefit of the Air Cadets, I would not have met my obligations later in life.

“You all will find the same thing in your lives. You understand teamwork, commitment to your community and respect for authority. That will hold you in good stead in your future careers and in your lives.”

Gale said another benefit in his life is being a citizen of Canada.

“Canadians are held in high regard by people around the world and we can be proud of that,” he said. “I hope you can look back and be proud to be an Air Cadet and a citizen of Canada.”

Miller thanked Gale and then presented a special medallion to each cadet, followed by a four-year service medal to flight sergeant Kardin Penner, five-year service bars to warrant officers Aaron Urie and Tegan Penner, and a warrant officer first-class rank to Teagan Penner.

The dinner wrapped up with Miller thanking his fellow officers, Shute, Eyre, Grey, lieutenant Moiken Penner, and civilian instructor Brendan Frayne; the squadron sponsoring committee, the parents and the Cadets, themselves, for their dedication and commitment to the corps. He also welcomed new officer, Catherine Coulter.

The Kincardine Air Cadets meet Monday nights, from 7-9 p.m., at the Kincardine Legion.

For more information, check the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/183TyphoonSquadron.