Please see my latest post (02/25/08 ) below---
Ok this bummed me out today.
As many of you know (and for those who don't) I was in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets from 1983 to 1989. I graduated a Warrant Officer (the second highest rank in the Air Cadets).
Last summer I learned of the Air Cadet Long Service Medal:
This was introduced in 2005 and is awarded to all cadets who have at least 4 consecutive years of distinguished service.
Former cadets such as myself are eligible for the award, provided we supply the necessary proof of our service.
So over the last couple of months, I have emailed and called my old squadron asking about my service record to apply for the award. However they never got back to me (the phone call was a recording).
For awhile I thought that my squadron may have actually been disbanded, but yesterday I came across the squadron's website. They still met on Wednesday nights so I figured I would drop by and find out about obtaining my record (I was alumni after all).
I knew that the old Canadian Forces Base Downsview (that my squadron met at) had been closed down (the majority turned into a public park) for years now- but I had never actually seen it.
The squadron had moved to the other side of the old base which was now an Armoury.
I got a little lost and ended up driving around the old base.
The central supply depot had been turned into some kind of farmers market (maybe even a flea market).
And the entrance to my old squadron's headquarters was now the entrance to the gift shop of the air museum that part of the base is now.
Finally found the new location of my squadron on the new Army facility. Security was tight. Very tight. Apparently showing up unannounced was a bit of a breech of protocol (it certainly was not like this 20 some odd years ago). I was not to go anywhere without an escort.
With a cadet sergeant by my side, my trip down memory lane consisted of a three minute conversation with a captain, who told me that after all these years my record has most likely been shredded. He did take down my name and number and said he would do what he could. He was polite and pleasant, but after 30 seconds I realized that I had come all this way for nothing but a handshake and a smile.
All this took place in the hallway- I wasn't even allowed to go inside the parade grounds and have a glance at the squadron. I was escorted out.
I understand that they no longer know me from Adam, and that in this day and age of public shootings, stalkers, paedophiles, and general nutcases, that security must be high and they can't afford to take any chances (this is a youth organization after all). It just would have been nice to have a look around for a bit. Maybe meet the new people in charge.
Needless to say it not only was a waste of a trip- it actually made me feel like I was intruding. Really bummed me out.
And it looks like I'm back to square one about getting my service award.
