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As Remembrance Day approaches a group of air cadets out of Dunnville are taking steps to honour veterans. Literally. They will march 70 kilometers over two days. That’s one kilometer for every year since World War 2.
It’s a simple task that’s anything but easy. As a tribute to our veterans, the 611 Harvard Air Cadets out of Dunnville are marching 70 kilometers over two days. One kilometer for every year since World War Two.
This is the seventh year for Warrant Officer Paige Bursy and this march has re-defined her concept of duty. “When I first started, I thought they were crazy. Like I can’t march that long, and then now I’m like, can I keep going farther.” says Paige
The march has raised more than 60 thousand dollars for a long term care facility for veterans called the Tony Stacy Centre.
And as much as this march is about remembering those who have served before, what may be just as important is instilling leadership in these cadets for the future.
Richard Twelves, Captain COATS says, “this is something that has become part of six-eleven, that is ingrained in the kids as they have come through the ranks.” Kids like Flight Sergant Johnothan Degios. The fifteen year old has ambitions of becoming and air traffic controller. He is able to complete the trip by thinking about the end. “It’s worth it. It is worth it in the end. It is always worth it in the end.”
They began Friday morning in Dunnville. Marching 21 kilometers to the Chippewa Creek Conservation area by lunch, and continuing to Smithville by 5pm. Saturday they will begin in Hagersville and work their way to back to Dunnville.
But they save the final kilometer for next week. “The final kilometer, it feels amazing, it it feels amazing. You’ve accomplished something.”
That is done on Remembrance Day in Dunnville in a march to the Cenotaph.
