Cadets honoured by corner guard duties

News — 16 November 2010

For those who’ve made a habit of attending local Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Dryden cenotaph each year, a cadet corner guard is a familiar sight.

In the best of weather, this 30 to 60 minute period of solemn, unflinching composure is a test to challenge the strongest among us.

In weather like this past Remembrance Day, complete with freezing temperatures and buffeting winds, it was a duty that four specially chosen local cadets won’t soon forget.

This year’s corner guard included Bombadier Pierce Rea, Gunner Shelby Wilson, Gunner Austin Fisher and Cadet Michelle Walter of the 2072 Dryden Army Cadets Corps.

“When you’re standing there it gives you a lot of time to think about the responsibilities you have and what this means to other people,” said 14 year-old Pierce Rea. “You think about earning the respect of the veterans by being a cadet and actually going out and doing something in the community. It may be cold, but it’s also a great honour to be up there — you have to work hard and show that you deserve to be up there.”

Lori Helbing served three years on the corner guard in her time as a cadet and is now a civilian instructor. She says this opportunity represents the commitment of those selected to the Cadet Corps.

“You have to show up each week, show you’re interested and that you have the discipline to do it,” said Helbing. “You’re representing the corps and all the veterans.”

Austin Fisher was positioned in possibly the most difficult corner of the event — straight into a frigid southwest wind which made his thin white cotton gloves fairly ineffective.

“It becomes more personal than physical,” says Fisher. “It was about being stubborn for me. My rifle slipped a few times because I couldn’t feel it anymore.”

Michelle Walter says beneath her zen-like mask of solemn meditation was a certain degree of mental anguish.

“You keep thinking, ‘It’s cold!’ and you’re trying to get that out of your head, but you can’t,” said Walter.

By Chris Marchand

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Dryden High School music student Nathaniel Puddicombe hopes his frozen lips and fingers still work as he performs The Last Post and Reveille during Remembrance Day ceremonies at the cenotaph, Dryden City Hall, Nov. 11. Photo by Chris Marchand

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About Author

chrismarchand

Chris Marchand is a native of Dryden, Ontario. He served his first newspaper internship at The Dryden Observer in 1998 while attending journalism studies at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops B.C. He's worked desks as both reporter and editor at the Fernie Free Press as well as filled the role of sports editor at the Cranbrook Daily Townsman. Marchand was named editor of the Dryden Observer in Aug. 2009.