Seventy-five international air cadets and their escorts from 12 countries visited the Reynolds-Alberta Museum on July 28. Annually since 1947, the Air Cadet League of Canada, in partnership with the Department of National Defence, has hosted the international cadets.
The cadets were on a 16-day tour of the province, visiting such places as the Alberta Legislature, lunch with the lieutenant governor, 4 Wing Cold Lake, the Royal Tyrell Museum, the Colombia Ice Fields, Banff, Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump and Waterton Lake National Park.
The cadets continually expressed surprise and wonder of the enormity and cultural diversity of the province.
Thanks to the generosity and hospitality of Ponoka’s 65 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets Parents Society, the cadets enjoyed lunch hosted by Audrey Cohoe, Weeranit Siegele, Gail Newton, and Peter and Darilla Kinnaird. Cadets Tianna and Kaiden Kinnaird, and Casey and Brian Cole visited with the cadets asking about each other’s cadet programs and practices.
To end the visit and to express their appreciation, cadets from each of the 12 nations presented a certificate of appreciation to the Air Cadet Society.
At the same time these international cadets visit Canada, Canada reciprocates by sending 75 of our Air Cadets to international destinations. The 12 participating nations this year are Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Germany, France, Turkey, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Hong Kong, the United States, Belgium and Holland.
— Submitted