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Crestmont now houses one of the largest combined cadet bodies in the world.
By Brian Saunders, Major
The air buzzed with excitement on Aug. 16, when the 61 members of the Proclaimers of Christ Session of cadets moved into the campus of the College for Officer Training at Crestmont in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
“Wow, we are really here!” exclaimed Cadet Larry Groenleer of Lihue, Hawaii. Moving vans, U-Hauls and corps vans lined the parking lot as the cadets unloaded their belongings and found their new accommodations. Just as quickly, second-year cadets arrived to lend a hand. “We were on campus maybe five minutes before two second years were standing in front of us with dollies asking if they could help us unload,” said Proclaimer Megan Young.
For the college staff, this was no ordinary annual move-in day.
“This is a historic day,” said Major Timothy Foley, training principal. “This is the largest session of cadets in almost 20 years, and we praise God calling each of these individuals into the ranks of the Army.”
The rest of the College for Officer Training staff echoed the sentiments. “What a blessing to see so many cadets,” said Major Cindy Foley, director of campus services. “We look forward to serving with them as they prepare for full time ministry as officers.”
The new cadets are excited and ready to begin their training.
“To have seen the obstacles that God has moved from my own life so that I am able to be here amazes me every day,” said Cadet Darla Malone. “Each morning I find myself praising God for the blessing of allowing me to here.”
The 61 members of the Proclaimers of the Resurrection Session join the 45-strong Friends of Christ Session at Crestmont for the 22 months of residential training before being commissioned as officers, making this one of the largest combined cadet bodies in the world.
The public Welcome Meeting for the Proclaimers of the Resurrection will be held at the Ambassador Theatre in Pasadena, Calif., on Sept. 10.
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