Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Nov 16/05) - All Canadian youth should recognize the importance of Remembrance Day, not just those who are involved in the cadet movement, says the former commanding officer of the 3019 Royal Canadian Cadet Corps in Rankin Inlet.

Capt. Tim Hinds said the cadets have been involved with the vast majority of - if not all - Remembrance Day activities held during the corps' 17 years in Rankin.

He said today's youth need to understand the history of Remembrance Day and why it's recognized every year.

"That may run a little deeper with the cadets because of the movement's roots in the military," said Hinds. "The Rankin cadets evolved from the Royal Canadian Regiment. The connection between cadets and Canadian servicemen and women is very strong because, in the past, cadets trained to go into service with the military.

"That's no longer the case, but it's part of the history of the cadet movement."

Hinds said the Rankin cadets enjoy taking part in the ceremony, even if more than a few tend to be a little shy around large crowds. He said the role of the local cadets concerning Remembrance Day has grown significantly during the past eight years.

"When I first became involved, they would help set up and take down the parade and be part of the ceremony itself.

"Today they're involved in poppy sales, and we give them history lessons before Remembrance Day on their unit affiliation and the Canadian military.

"This gives them a better grasp on why we still hold the ceremony every year."

Hinds said Northern cadets don't have a real grasp on the sacrifices made by veterans during the First and Second World Wars because the Northern territories weren't that involved with the military during those times.

He said there isn't much of a military family history in the North, and the cadets don't know veterans who actually fought in a war. "A few of us have done peacekeeping and been in a hot zone, but none of us have fought in a real war.

"It's more of a book exercise to Northern youth - learning through videos and books rather than the life experience of knowing somebody who fought in a war.

"That's why it's so important for those of us in the program to give the cadets an appreciation for the sacrifices made, so they understand why we have Remembrance Day."