Page 16 - Cadet ReviewAutumn/Winter 2020

 SCC
SHEFFIELD SEA CADETS AND ROYAL MARINES CADETS VIRTUAL PARADING
By Sgt (SCC) John Daley
With the Covid-19 Pandemic taking hold and restricting access for cadets to continue parading, we needed to look at new ways to engage, with so many important parades they would be missing. Armed Forces Day, Falklands Liberation, the 75th Anniversary of The Victory over Japan, which Sheffield Sea Cadets would have been such a big part of. Discussions were held with the cadets over Zoom and the task was given to the Cpls in Sheffield Royal Marines Cadets to plan and host two live events in front of dignitaries across the region as part of their preparation for promotion.
Our unit is named in honour of the Falkland Islands and we were privileged last year to host
MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) of The Falkland Islands Leona Roberts, who presented the unit a Falkland Islands Flag. This would be raised every Liberation Day and flown at our unit for the week after. The first parade was obviously cancelled. The cadets created a PowerPoint presentation and virtual parade and for the Lord Lt of South Yorkshire, the Vice Lord Lt, The Lord Mayor and dignitaries from the Falkland Islands and Falkland Islands TV they presented a very professional virtual parade, during which they discussed the history of the Falklands and the ensuing conflict. This was then broadcast in part during the next evenings news.
The VJ Day parade was also quite a let-down
as the Unit had been asked to lead with the whole weekend packages. Sheffield City Council held a very low key and intimate parade in Sheffield with the First Lt and Detachment Commander in attendance. The cadets again felt this should not go by unnoticed, they again created a fantastic Zoom parade and in front of the Captain Sea Cadets, The High Sheriff
of South Yorkshire, The Lord Mayor of Sheffield
...these kinds of events show our unit is still moving forward in a positive way!
16 CADET REVIEW AUTUMN/WINTER 2020
and cadets and staff from across the country they presented a history on the War in the Pacific, one member of the unit invited musicians to send their version of Land of Hope and Glory (the unofficial National Anthem of POWs in the Pacific) and mashed them together to have a virtual band.
The Commanding Officer Sub Lt Garry Chambers MBE said, "it is so important in these difficult times to keep engaged with young people, these types of parades give our cadets ownership and some form of diversion ensuring that they remain focused. When everything else is standing still, these kinds of events show our unit is still moving forward in a positive way!"