Weekly Routine Orders for the Week of Dec 2-8

All;

Here are the routine orders for this week:

1. Drill Team – Tuesday

Timing: 1845hrs
Bring: Wedge, boots, health card

2. Mess Dinner – Wednesday

Dress:

• C2 dress (tunic and tie, ribbons, no nametag, no wedge); or
• C8 Mess Dress (Same as C2, except with a white collar dress shirt with black bow tie instead of the shirt and tie).

Timing: Doors open at 1730hrs, Dinner at 1800hrs, Pickup is 2000hrs

Location: Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 4, 383 Morningstar Avenue, Welland

Mess Dinner Tradition:

A Mess Dinner is one of the most coveted and important traditions of the Canadian Forces. It is a time to appreciate the comradeship and company of fellow service members and guests and to savour fine cuisine in an elegant setting. Tradition remains to this day one of the prime ingredients in air cadet esprit de-corps.

Mess dinners originated about 200 years ago, the purpose being the same then as it is now: to afford the opportunity for seniors and juniors to meet on a friendly but formal occasion; and, to enable the Commanding Officer to speak to his squadron as a group. The traditional formality of the dinner fosters a fellowship which would be lacking at less formal functions.

Historically, the mess dinner was the time, after working hours, when members sat down for dinner with their CO. It was the custom of the day when every officer lived in the mess and officers were required to dress for dinner. The mess dinner was a result of the rules of gentlemanly conduct. The present-day mess dinner evolved from the customs and traditions of former Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) officers’ messes and can be adapted for use by senior non-commissioned members (NCM) and junior members.

A mess dinner is considered a parade requiring all unit members to attend. Dress, time of assembly and other details are specified. To enjoy the formality of the setting, immature or offensive behaviour is not tolerated. The PMC of the Mess Committee (PMC) ensures that a high standard of decorum is maintained.

3. Fenwick Santa Clause Parade – Dec 8th

Parade begins promptly at 1300 hrs.

Dress: Cadet parkas, toque, and black gloves
Meeting Time: 1230 hrs
Meeting Location: Bethany Christian Reform Church (1040 Balfour St, Fenwick)
Pickup Time: 1345 hrs
Pickup Location: Centennial Park (999 Church St, Fenwick)

Parade Route: Starting at Bethany Christian Reform Church (1040 Balfour St., Fenwick) heading North on Balfour Street to Canboro Road, West on Canboro Road to Church Street, North on Church Street to Centennial Park (999 Church St., Fenwick).

Join everyone at Centennial Park after the parade for post celebrations- including food and activities!

Enjoy your week everyone;

Lt C. Bowman
Commanding Officer