Welcome Back-CO’s Message
Hello Everyone,
We hope you’ve enjoyed a wonderful summer! As you all know, we’re preparing to start off the 2025/26 training year and thrilled to welcome you all back.
To start the year off, here’s a special welcome message from our Commanding Officer:
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Cadets,
As your summer draws to a close, I hope you are looking forward to that time of year when we will be back and ready for training. I want to congratulate all cadets who completed a summer training course. You have spent several weeks learning new skills and I look forward to seeing you passing on everything you’ve learned to your junior cadets and colleagues – there will be many opportunities, and I urge you to seize them!
The Cadet program has exciting weekend training, team-building activities, and leadership challenges that will help cadets build skills for life. Some important dates include:
1. Thursday September 4, 2025 – Administration Night at Branch 643 - Legion from 6:30PM to 9:00PM
2. Saturday September 13, 2025 – Fall Gliding – Only 20 Cadets will be able to go and will be selected
3. Thursday September 25 – Sunday September 28, 2025 – Annual Tagging Fundraising
Remember — your effort, commitment, and enthusiasm are what make our squadron a success and set you on the path to becoming the leaders of tomorrow. While this is my first time in the role of Commanding Officer, I look forward to using my years of experience to ensure that your growth at this historic squadron is positive and uplifting. My amazing team of Officers, Civilian Instructors and Volunteers are just as committed to your growth and willing to help you every step of the way.
As adult staff, we are guided by the motto Illuminate Viam: “Illuminate the Way”. The vision to mentor and inspire Canada’s youth guides us towards our goals: honour Canada’s past, preserve traditions, and deliver engaging programs in line with CJCR Orders. By fostering strong partnerships with the Royal Canadian Legion, the 32 Signal Regiment, and our Squadron Sponsoring Committee, we can ensure that every Cadet benefits from their time in the Air Cadets program and, specifically, from 142 Mimico Squadron.
As our squadron continues to grow, in numbers and in spirit, I encourage you all to direct your focus on keeping this a community where every Cadet feels supported and engaged. When we stay united and honor our traditions, each of you has the chance to shine while carrying forward our squadron’s proud legacy of determination—the drive to adapt to change, push through challenges, overcome obstacles and never give up.
This determination is what I ask of you this year. Think of something you were hoping for last year: was it advancing in rank, improving your drill, participating in more activities, or stepping into leadership a roles? This year, set that goal and make it reality. You will need to grow and adapt. You will face challenges and struggle to overcome them. Rely on each other, rely on your senior cadets. But never give up. On behalf of the entire staff team, welcome back.
Sincerely,
Captain Vidur Pannerselvam
