A Surrey cadet has met the Three Amigos.
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Simran Gillar, the top ranking cadet of the 3300 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC), represented B.C. Cadets in Ottawa during the “Three Amigos” North American Leaders' Summit on June 29.
She and other select cadets and youth leaders from across the country met with dignitaries in the VIP lounge on Parliament Hill.
“We got to chit chat with all the big people," she said. "The defence minister (Harjit Sajjan) was there and other dignitaries. I had the opportunity shake hands with U.S. President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but no photos sadly. They did not have enough time for that.”
She also got to meet and greet Mexican President Enrique Peňa Nieto.
“We were seated in the public gallery and witnessed the speeches made in the House of Commons, which was splendid. Many standing ovations… After all that, the cadets were the only people who later got to enjoy a tour of Parliament Hill and the Peace Tower.”
Gillar is The Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the 3300 BC Regiment (Bhai Kanhaiya) RCACC of Surrey, Canada’s first ever Army Cadet corps formed and supported by the Sikh community.
Gillar addes she is humbled and honoured to have had the opportunity.
She rounded off her trip by participating in the Hadfield Youth Summit, a leadership and youth development event, and enjoyed the Canada Day celebrations in the nation’s capital with other cadets before returning to B.C. to spend her summer working at cadet camp.
Maj. Lee Taylor, commanding officer of the 3300 RCACC, said Gillar was selected because she exemplifies the qualities of good leadership and works hard mentoring youth in her corps.
“That our RSM got to be in Ottawa, rubbing elbows rubbing elbows with all the leaders of North America, including President Obama and Mexico’s president, and to have 3300 representing the Army Cadets of B.C. is a testament to how the corps leadership are developing our youth. CWO Gillar is one great example."
Youth between the ages of 12 and 18 interested in joining the 3300 BC Regiment (Bhai Kanhaiya) RCACC, and their parents, are welcome to attend any of their regular training nights starting in September.
The program is free of charge. Anyone interested in joining can call 604-446-9933 or 604-841-0547.