SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Capt. James Harper has been awarded one of the Air Cadet League of Canada’s top honours for teaching.
Harper was recently awarded the Top National Cadet Instructor List Officer of the Year at an event in Slemon Park.
This is the first time in P.E.I Air Cadet history that a local instructor has received this honour.
“Capt. James Harper has not only persevered through many years of service to the Air Cadet Program but also as a Commanding Officer of 53 C.E. Monty DFC RCACS; he has also set an example that many of his peers will follow. He continues tireless commitment to serving our great youth,” reads the citation.
The 53 C.E. Monty DFC Squadron Summerside was also awarded the Top P.E.I. Air Cadet Squadron Trophy.
The Summerside group has been bestowed this particular award 15 times since 1948.
The trophy is awarded annually by the Air Cadet League of Canada P.E.I. Provincial Committee to the squadron judged to be the best in the province in training, leadership, citizenship and physical fitness and promoting an interest in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
During the ceremony, retired Capt. Dick Lubbersen was also presented with a Certificate of Honour for demonstrating “outstanding professionalism while serving the Royal Canadian Air Cadets movement from 1966 to 2017.
Lubbersen served a cadet, instructor and mentor over his many years of service.
“(His) long career has exemplifies the best of military values and has brought great credit to the Air cadet Movement of Canada.”
Top Cadets
- Top P.E.I. Air Cadet for 2018 was Warrant Officer Jake McIsaac, 53 Squadron. His father received award because McIsaac is currently at Royal Military College as an armour officer in training.
- Top P.E.I. Glider Pilot Scholarship 2018 was 2nd Warrant Officer Benjamin Dyment – 53 Squadron.
- Top P.E.I. Private Pilot Scholarship 2018 was 2nd Warrant Officer Cody MacIntyre – 60 Squadron.
Other honours presented were to:
- Captain Tyler Hamm – Certificate of Honour (53 Squadron)
- OCDT Eric Brookins – Certificate of Merit (60 Squadron Charlottetown)
- Cadet Instructor (CI) Justin MacIntrye - Certificate of Merit (60 Squadron Charlottetown)
- Cadet Instructor (CI) Darrell Evans - Certificate of Merit (60 Squadron Charlottetown)
- Cadet Instructor (CI) Misty MacKenzie - Certificate of Merit (60 Squadron Charlottetown)
- Cadet Instructor (CI) Austina Creamer - Certificate of Merit (60 Squadron Charlottetown)
- Cadet Instructor (CI) Darren Creamer - Certificate of Merit (60 Squadron Charlottetown)
- Capt. Jim McInnis – Certificate of Merit (60 Squadron Charlottetown)
- Capt. Wendy Collett – Certificate of Merit (60 Squadron Charlottetown)
- Capt. Chris Kassouf – Certificate of Merit (60 Squadron Charlottetown)
- Lt. Billy Knockwood- Certificate of Merit (60 Squadron Charlottetown)
- Lt. Kaitlyn Slade - Certificate of Merit (60 Squadron Charlottetown)
- 2nd Lt. Kailtyn Reher – Certificate of Merit (60 Squadron Charlottetown)
- 2nd Lt. Spencer Gillis - Certificate of Merit (60 Squadron Charlottetown)
