Good morning Colonel Bowman, General Fox, Governors, Faculty members, honoured guests, parents and fellow cadets. I am honoured to stand here today and welcome you to the 2011 Graduation Parade.
I think it would be fair to say that the excitement of Graduation Parade is shared by everyone. For parents, it’s an opportunity to see their son march on with a sense of pride and accomplishment. This graduation allows parents to witness the progress their son has made this year and allows them a glimpse at the potential he can make in future years. I stand here today looking at a group of young men that are virtually unrecognizable compared to last September. We have all – whether we like it or not – changed physically, mentally, and emotionally after the 10 long months spent at the Academy. For the graduates, we are about to take one step further on the path of life (which is surprisingly longer that the Fall Exercise). We are moving on to post secondary education where we will continue to be challenged and apply the five values taught at the Academy.
When we first arrived here, the five values were just five new words (which we believed was an attempt to expand our vocabulary), but as we progressed as students and as leaders we began to understand the importance of Loyalty, Labour, Honour, Courage, and Commitment. We started (sometimes in small steps) to apply them. For the Cadets not graduating, summer break can come as an opportunity to use the values and skills you learned at the Academy (or if you’re a Wysocki it comes as the longest Standdown of the year). Regardless if you are family, faculty or a Cadet we have all been affected by the second chance presented by Robert Land Academy.
During your first drive to the Academy, maybe half an hour before you arrive you will notice (in almost a blink of an eye) that suddenly there is no more McDonalds, no Tim Horton’s, no Canadian Tire, no civilization; just open land. Asphalt roads turn to dirt roads, apartments turn to barns and people turn to cattle (“What have I gotten myself into?” is a thought that comes to mind).
When we finally arrive at the Academy, we enter the Recruit Course. This is a week when we learn not only to press our uniform, polish our boots and fold our laundry, but also to make bonds with the recruits around you. It does not matter where you are from, the colour of your skin or your first language; when we come to the Academy we are all united on two fronts: we all have problems at home and no one wants to be here! This bond allows us to better understand each other and better understand ourselves; this is why it is so easy for us to help one another. The Recruit Course teaches us that we are only as fast as our slowest man. We can no longer think as individuals and are challenged to think as a unit.
This unity is carried on as we enter barracks life. Our new section is our new family. We succeed together, and we fail together. We use our strengths to substitute each others weaknesses and every week you try and earn a best house.
This same mentality is carried with us into the Fall Exercise. No man gets left behind, and no matter how long and strenuous the Fall Ex gets we will not quit until every member of your section succeeds.
After the Fall Ex we move into steady classroom routine for eight long hours of the day, five days a week. Would you believe that we look forward to being in the classroom? For the senior students, when you leave Dr. Brown’s class, it’s not Geography nor Calculus nor Biology that you remember; it’s his long rants on the unforgiving nature of life; when you leave Dr. Inglis’classes we’re reminded of why we should work out more than just chest and biceps; when you leave Lt. Dugas’ classes we can’t forget his laugh nor his stories of Korea; when you leave Lt. Simmons classes you never thought someone could get so angry over the misuse of punctuation. We learn so much more that the curriculum. We are all fortunate to have teachers at all levels of education that care about our improvement as individuals.
At Robert Land Academy there is the structure of a family. The Colonel is the grandfather of the Academy, not because he’s old, but because he always shares his experiences with us through stories to try to prepare us for the real world. The ASM, Company Commanders, and CSMs are the fathers of the Academy who teach us the skills and values we need to succeed in the real world - like etiquette in the Mess Hall, standards for personal turnout, and manners when addressing others. Mrs. Spiller is the mother of the Academy. She always watches over our academics, stays late and comes in early to help boys when they’re confused about the future. This year, she went above and beyond helping the grade 12 graduates every step of the way. We could always rely on you, Ma’am, and we’re lucky to have your. Mrs. Lake, Mrs. Tomiak and Mrs. Bowman who are the cool aunts, taking care of our favourite things: letters and leaves. They’re always working with students and parents to make sure everyone can find a way home…even George. It’s not easy working with us (as parents will agree) but they do it everyday. I can honestly say that their care has made our lives better.
I would like to thank Colonel Bowman for giving me the opportunity to speak here today and for founding the Academy. Without the Academy, we would not have all been given the second chance we needed to turn our lives around. Major Doig, the busiest man I know, who has been my Company Commander for three and a half years, has always been willing to take time out of his day to help me stay on the right track, even after all those times I let him down. ASM Zahra has put his neck out on the line for the NCO’s many times and after two years of working for him I truly believe I am the main contributor to his balding. DSM Robinson and CSM Martin always leaving their doors open for anyone to seek guidance. Lt. Aoki’s night time physical training sessions and overall dedication to B Company has seriously contributed to their success this year. I will never forget all of the times Mr. Palmer and the maintenance staff assisted me with projects around the Academy, the Matron’s dedication to making sure laundry is taken care of, and the kitchen staff for always working hard and making sure every boy is fed. We all thank you for the hard work you put in every day.
It is not possible to succeed at RLA without the support from students at the Academy. There are some things I will never forget about the Academy; the camaraderie formed with the C Company boys; the esteem of the B Company boys; and the enthusiasm of the A Company boys. In particular, I have been fortunate to have seen the Academy with Akinkuotu, Frederick, Garton, Hubert, Khan, and Sadler, you have all made a difference in my life and I am honoured to call you friends.
Perhaps the most important lesson RLA teaches is that it’s not RLA that makes us successful, RLA lays down the foundation; RLA teaches us that it’s our choices which can ultimately lead to our success or failure. Like ASM always says, “any consequence is a direct result of your own actions.” At RLA you learn that failure is an opportunity! It is an opportunity to start over and an opportunity to learn from your mistakes. RLA is about second chances and I have come to realize that first hand.
During my time at RLA I have always carried with me the love and support of my family. My grandparents have invested a lot in me coming to the Academy and I try everyday to make the most of that. Without them I would have never had the opportunity to turn my life around. They are men I aspire to most be like and I am forever in their debt. My grandmother Lee isn’t here to see me graduate but if she was I hope she would have been proud of the man I have become.
Mom and dad, I know our relationship has had its ups and downs but there was never a moment when you weren’t there for me. I appreciate all the times you drove three hours to pick me up and all the times you called the school to defend me when I was in trouble, always to no avail! I remember the days we used to aimlessly argue and fight and I’m glad that we’ve moved past that. Our relationship has come a long way and I hope today I have made you proud.
It has not been an easy three and a half years for me but I will never regret coming to the Academy. Before arriving, I had no confidence, no goals and no plan for the future. Leaving here today I feel prepared and confident to face the challenges of post secondary education. Being Head Boy this year has been an adventure. It has been a pleasure representing and working with you. This year we have the privilege of inducting General Fox as our new Honorary Colonel. Sir, on behalf of the student body I welcome you into the RLA family. I know that having your wisdom and experience around the Academy can help all of us exceed, like the National Guard motto says, “Beyond the Standard”. For those boys coming back next year I want you to remember what Tao Te Ching had to say: “Failure is an opportunity. If you blame others, there is no end to blame. Fulfill your obligations, correct your mistakes. Do what you need to do and step away. Demand nothing and give all.”
Thank you for a great year.
Deus et Patria