By Maxime Corneau – The Army Cadet League of Canada
AS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR of The Army Cadet League of Canada (ACLC) comes to an end, volunteers from across the country have been recognized for their exceptional volunteer service. As a volunteer organization, the ACLC’s focus was to honour the unwavering and selfless contributions its volunteers have provided to the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, their respective community corps, the pro-
vincial branches of the ACLC and those involved at the National level of the organization.
In 2020, in preparation for this yearlong event and its commitment for this recognition, the ACLC commissioned a special and limited edition 50th anniversary coin. This included the design of a 50th anniversary logo that appears on one side of the coin. The logo incorporates the official crest of the ACLC with core elements of the Royal Canadian Army Cadet training that the ACLC supports. The crest is supported by hands of giving, representing the selfless acts of volunteerism provided by the ACLC members and volunteers.
The ACLC had also established this list of key criteria to be considered in the choice of these key recipients:
• Long and distinguished service to the ACLC;
• Exceptional service to a project that brings great benefit or recognition to the ACLC;
• Exceptional service in support of the ACLC’s mission, objectives, roles and responsibilities; or,
• Exceptional service to the ACLC in overcoming obstacles and challenges
To encourage acknowledgement at all the levels of the organization, and counting more than four hundred Army Cadet Corps across the country, it was determined that a coin would be presented to at least one volunteer per corps for their contribu- tions. Additionally, a number of coins were distributed to each provincial branch of the ACLC to recognize the volunteer service at the provincial level. And lastly, a limited number of coins were allotted for presentation to key folks who have continued to provide their support to the Royal Canadian Army Cadets at the National level of the ACLC. Throughout the year, a total of five hundred and fifty key individuals became recipients of this special edition anniversary coin.
Here are a few of the extraordinary individuals who have been recognized throughout this past year:
Ruby Charlene Orrell – Ontario Branch of the ACLC
Charlene joined the Support Committee for the 2672 Hastings & Prince Edward Regt RCACC in Peterborough back in 2008. Over the years as Chair of the Corps Support Committee (SC), Charlene was able to increase the membership and volunteer participation with the SC to over 20 people from the original two she had started with. For these efforts, Charlene was awarded the Support Committee Member of the Year in 2014.
She then became the League Liaison officer for 2672 RCACC, the 2817 RCACC in Lindsay, ON and the 88 RCACC in Cobourg, ON. Charlene continued to follow her path with the ACLC and joined the ranks of the Ontario Branch Board of Directors in 2017 and was named the 2nd VP in 2018. As Charlene continues her work with the provincial Branch of the ACLC, she has been an active member of the National Awards Committee these past couple of years. She also sits on the National Board of the ACLC as the Provincial director representing the interests of the Ontario Branch.
Like many parents of cadets, Charlene pursued her involvement with the organization even after her children left the program. She is a positive influence that allows the ACLC to continue evolving towards the support it can provide not only to the cadets but also to its volunteers.
Cpl Alexander Larade, deployed on OP CALUMET – Outstanding Volunteer at 117 Preston/Westphal RCACC, Nova Scotia
Cpl Alexander Larade is a Regular Force member who has been volunteering with 117 RCACC since early 2019. At the Corps, he took on the responsibility of instructing cadets both virtually and in person, when possible. Cpl Larade has always been extremely helpful, open to suggestions, and always willing to take on more duties. Cpl Larade’s deportment on and off duty has always been above reproach, and his performance is always of the highest calibre. The Corps is grateful that Cpl Larade chooses to spend his free time helping “the youth of today become the leaders of tomorrow.” As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, he is an example and a source of inspiration to the cadets who may want to pursue a military career.
Dwayne Thomas – Governor & Member of the Year of the Alberta Branch of the ACLC
Dwayne has been instrumental in numerous areas of the ACLC, especially in Alberta. Recently named Member of the Year of the Alberta Branch, Dwayne has been very active and efficient in fulfilling his tasks as Treasurer for the Southern Zone of the province. Over his years of service, he got things caught up to meet the financial obligations of the corps’ while offering his vast expertise to mentor & assist the other corps of the Zone.
Dwayne was also active in the role of Screening Governor and a driving force in the modernization of some of the Branch’s procedures and the upgrade of the branch’s Website. Aside from his role at the provincial level of the ACLC, he remained an avid supporter and member of the SC for the 3025 RCACC. Over the years, he established an outstanding reputation for himself whereas, whenever something needs to be done, Dwayne always goes out of his way to make it happen. He has a passion for the Canadian Cadet program that is rarely seen and a pleasure to watch. Soon after Dwayne was presented the 50th anniversary coin for his exceptional volunteer service to the province, he moved to Manitoba and has agreed to support the branch in his new province of residence.
Alongside the presentations of the 50th anniversary, some of the members of the ACLC have additionally been recommended by their peers for their outstanding contributions to become recipients of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers. This is the case for Mr. Dan Matthews, from Ontario who has been a long-time Army Cadet supporter & member of the ACLC.
The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers recognizes exceptional volunteer achievements from across the country and abroad, celebrating a wide range of voluntary contributions.
The ACLC was honoured to announce that Mr. Matthews, past President of the Army Cadet League of Ontario as well as past Vice President of the ACLC was selected to receive this prestigious award in 2021.
With over 56 years of service with the Military; Civilian Police Force; ACLC (ON) and other Community Service roles he offers a wealth of experience and leadership.
Initially, following his transfer to the Supplementary Reserves, he served as League Liaison Officer & Zone Liaison Officer in Durham Region from 1994 to 1998. Upon his retirement from the CAF in 2010, Dan joined the Ontario Army Cadet League, once again, serving as Zone Liaison Officer and on the League’s Board of Directors before being appointed as President in 2014. In 2017 he was elected to the National Board of the ACLC starting off as Vice President at Large and re-elected in 2019 to serve as Vice President Membership .
Dan has also served with the St John Ambulance Council for Ontario serving as Chairman and Central District Chairman. During that time he also served with the Barrie Legion Branch.
Dan has distinguished himself on many occasions by bring- ing successful and fair resolution to a variety of issues. His wealth and breadth of knowledge have earned him the respect and trust of those who have had the privilege to work with him.
The ACLC is proud to have reached the Trusted Partner status with the Chancellery of Honours. This provides an ongoing commitment and opportunity for more amazing and devoted individuals to be recognized at a higher level for their contributions with the organization.
Over its 50 years of existence, the ACLC has been able to rely on countless hours of service from thousands of volunteers from across the country. These folks are from all walks of life who became involved to support their community corps. In the majority of these cases, they themselves or a member of their family benefitted from the values and the experience this outstanding program provides to Canadian youth.
As the pandemic restrictions are slowly lifted, and the anniversary year comes to an end, the ACLC vows to continue its commitment to support and recognize the volunteers across the country that work tirelessly in support of Army Cadets. It is important to note that despite these past couple of years of uncertainty the dedicated volunteers never ceased offering their support. As a not-for-profit organization, the ACLC is extremely thankful to have such amazing individuals supporting the best youth program Canada has to offer.