Mr P On His Last Night In Uniform
After over 15years as a Warrant Officer in the Air Cadet Organisation Warrant Officer Larry Parker ('Mr P') has hung up his hat and retired.
During his time serving as Warrant Officer on 2425 Squadron Larry held positions such as squadron training officer and Health and safety officer. He also led teams at the 4 days March at Ijzer in Belgium. Larry had also been instrumental in the community work and events that the Sqn is now involved with, including getting the unit affiliated with local RBL and RAFA branches.
During his time in uniform WO Parker has been awarded the Lord Lieutenants Certificate, Commandants Certificate of Meritorious service as well as his Cadet Forces medal.
On his last night in uniform the cadets put WO Parker through his paces on an initiative exercise and on an informal final parade presented him with a celebratory cake and photo album. Also present was Sqn Ldr Pass, deputy OC South and East Midlands Wing who related his long association with WO Parker to the guests that attended for a surprise send off for WO Parker. This included members of the Keyworth and Plumtree RAFA, WO Parkers first Sqn Commander and over 20 ex cadets from the past 15 years.
WO Parker reported "I am so proud of having been involved in an organisation like this, I see it as a family in the way it supports and develops people." He further advised the current cadets to "take these opportunities that are offered by the ACO because you'll never get them anywhere else and if you do you'll never regret it".
Although Larry is retiring from uniformed service he is going to continue his involvement with the Air Cadet Organisation by joining the Squadrons Civilian Committee, where his association with the ACO started over 15 years ago.
