Category: General Updates

Join us for our 3rd Virtual Parade Night

Tonight we have a special guest speaker!

For security purposes, once you join you will have to set your name. Set it to “Rank + Last name” (i.e. FCpl Bloggins). If you do not set your name, you will not be permitted to join the call.

Who: All cadets
Dress: Appropriate civilian attire/cadet t-shirts/cadet hoodies
When: Wednesday at 1830–2000hrs
How: Link via https://87eagle.slack.com/ (#general channel)

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All cadets are required to join Slack

We still have a number of cadets that have not joined Slack. As part of our Squadron Standing Orders, all cadets are required to join and check in with Slack weekly.

Joining Slack from a Web Browser

No mobile phone? No problem. Although most cadets use Slack on their phone, you can use Slack on any web browser:

How to join: Create an account first, then login to 87eagle.slack.com from any web browser OR mobile device.

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See everyone tonight,

Capt C. Bowman
Commanding Officer

Today marks the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

What is it?

Victory in Europe Day marks the day in 1945 when Britain and its allies accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany, bringing the war in Europe to an end.

Why is it relevant to Canada?

The 11 months leading up to May 8th 1945 might also have been ‘Canada’s Finest Hour’.

The liberation of the Netherlands, from September 1944 to April 1945, played a key role in the culmination of the Second World War, as the Allied forces closed in on Germany from all sides. The First Canadian Army played a major role in the liberation of the Dutch people who had suffered terrible hunger and hardship under the increasingly desperate German occupiers.

(https://definingmomentscanada.ca/veday75/ and https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/battles-and-stages/liberation-of-netherlands)

Here are some links throughout the day:

Send a Virtual Postcard to someone who served (website)

Read stories of fellow Canadians who served (website)

Project44.ca – Explore WW2 (website)

Victory75.ca – Commemorate VE Day (website)

VE Day 2020 (video – 3:22)

The Queen will address the World at 4:00PM EST (upcoming video)

Watch King George VI’s VE Day broadcast from 75 years ago (video)

All;

Two updates for this week:

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1. Tonight is our Second Virtual Parade Night

Join in at 1830hrs tonight via Zoom (link on Slack).

For security purposes, once you join you will have to set your name. Set it to “Rank + Last name” (i.e. FCpl Bloggins). If you do not set your name, you will not be permitted to join the call.

Who: All cadets
Dress: Appropriate civilian attire/cadet t-shirts/cadet hoodies
When: Wednesday at 1830–2000hrs
How: Link via https://87eagle.slack.com/ (#general channel)

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2. Tune in on Facebook for the Live Repatriation Ceremony of the six fallen CAF members

Tune in at 2:15 p.m. today, May 6, to watch the live repatriation ceremony for our fallen members.

Watch: https://www.facebook.com/CanadianForces/

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See everyone tonight,

Capt C. Bowman
Commanding Officer

All;

It has been a week since the entire in-person part of the program was put on hold. As such, both the Commander for our Region (based in Borden) and the Commanding Officer for all of Canada (based in Ottawa) have released statements. They are attached as one merged letter: Letter to Parents and Cadets.

In other news, we have some really exciting announcements for 87 this week!

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1. Starting this Wednesday we are restarting the program virtually!

Starting this Wednesday 29-Apr-2020 at 1830hrs we will be restarting a weekly virtual parade night. Each week will focus on 1 training/fun activity, a challenge for the week, and an open discussion letting you reconnect with fellow cadets.

We are really excited to start this back up, and invite all cadets to join in this Wednesday via Zoom. To get the link to join, visit 87eagle.slack.com (if you have still not signed in to Slack, go to /87eagle.ca/resources/how-to-use-slack/).

Who: All cadets
Dress: Appropriate civilian attire/cadet t-shirts/cadet hoodies
When: Wednesday at 1830–2000hrs (starting 29-Apr-2020)
How: Link via https://87eagle.slack.com/ (#general channel)

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2. Our Instagram/Facebook has a new weekly schedule!

WOII Libby and her team have created an excited schedule for our Squadrons Instagram and Facebook page. Be sure to follow and join in on the challenges!

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Other Items:

A former cadet has a message for you all

Mr. Dave Feduck, a former cadet with 87 from 1971-76, stumbled across our website and was happy to see “87 still kick’n”.

“Be Strong, be confident, believe in yourself and most important have fun.” says Mr. Feduck.

Picture: 87 Eagle Squadron cadets at the 1975 War Games held at the Welland Airport

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Great movies films to watch while at home

Looking for something new to watch? How about a free documentary produced by the National Film Board of Canada entitled “First Stripes“. This movie is about a group of new recruits who join the CAF basic training program in Garrison Saint Jean sur Richelieu. The film is in French with English subtitles. Thank you to Cadet Javaheri for the recommendation.

Another fantastic resource aside from the NFB is The Memory Project, a Canadian war history project.

Picture: First Stripes movie at the National Film Board of Canada.

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See everyone Wednesday, stay safe,

Capt C. Bowman
Commanding Officer

All;

BGen D. Cochrane, Commander of the entire Cadet formation (aka Nat CJCR Sp Gp) has made the decision to cancel all in-person Cadet activities until 31 Aug 2020. This include all in-person parade nights, CTC (summer training), Regional and National directed activities.

“[This decision] ensures the safety and security of everyone who participates in our programs and will ensure that the Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers, like the Canadian Armed Forces, do not become a vector to spread COVID-19.”

I know I speak for everyone when I say that participating in Annual Ceremonial Review, going on the year-end trip, and going off on Cadet Training Centre courses this summer are activities we look forward to all year. I know this is disappointing news. For some of you, these are activities you have been working towards for your entire cadet careers. For that I am sorry. Rest assured, things will get better. These are challenging times, and yet, I know I can count on each and every one of you.

What does this mean for the rest of this year:

1. All cadets that joined after 13 Mar 2020 will pass their levels, and move on to the next level as of September;
2. We will schedule an Annual Ceremonial Review (in some form) for Sept/Oct. We have awards, promotions, and retirements to celebrate, and a year to close out;
3. We are looking at exciting ways to continue to engage with our cadets and staff as we have been directed to do so by Foundation; and,
4. Those at the National and Regional levels are doing the same.

As I mentioned, I know I can count on all of you to continue to serve your Country as you #StayHome to stop the spread of COVID-19. I am extremely proud of you all, and I am honoured to be your CO. I look forward to the day that we can all be back at the hall.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me directly via 87squadron@gmail.com

Stay safe,

Capt C. Bowman
Commanding Officer

Below is a video from the Commander: https://www.facebook.com/cadetsca/posts/2972742342814616