Fantastic turn out from the squadron I was caretaking for today. One of the CIs was also the Parade Commander, 2 other staff on standby with the newer cadets and roughly 30 in the main parade.
As well as the squadron’s own standard, the cadets also carried the RBL standard and the standard of the Korean War Veterans. The cadet carrying the RBL Standard was terrified of getting the dipping wrong in the church, but was absolutely spot on.
A highlight was recognising one of the RBL representatives, who carried out the readings, as an old friend I haven’t seen since we were in YEAR SIX together! We left junior school in the 90s.
But the overall highlight? This was the squadron that I used to be OC of. After more than a year away, the cadets and parents still recognised and respected me to such an extent that they felt able to be very open about their thoughts on what’s going well and not-so-well at the unit without prompting. Several asked when I would be coming back as OC. Made me feel very appreciated.
Parade at Whitehall went off swimmingly, as I imagined it would.
Really proud of all the Cadets for clapping every veteran who passed us as we waited our turn to march. Some of the veterans waited to clap us on our return to Horse Guards, a really nice touch.
Special mention to Surrey Wing who were behind us representing the ATC, they looked incredibly smart.
