There was a feeling of excitement at Bow Valley Baptist Church on Tuesday evening (March 14) as members of 2512 King's Own Calgary Regiment Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (KOCR RCACC) wrapped up last minute travel details for their upcoming trip overseas.

For the past 39 months, the cadets have held 61 fundraisers from bottle drives to selling beef jerky to pizza nights to raise money to pay for their upcoming trip to honour the 100 anniversary of Vimy Ridge.

Although some of the cadets have been overseas before for many this is a new opportunity.  When asked, some were looking forward to seeing the monument while others are looking to forward to the rich history and photographic moments.

KOCR RCACC is one the largest corps attending the event, shares Warrant Officer Hughes, "we have a total of 70 people and the other corps have 25 and 18."

In order for the corp to send so many people, the hours of fundraising is astronomical, KOCR RCACC managed to raise over $173,000 so they could experience this once in a lifetime opportunity at no cost (beside passports and spending money).

For Master Corporal Shapkin,  this trip will be an experience he will never forget. "I will definitely come back with a deeper appreciation for those that gave their lives in the battle of Vimy Ridge." While Master Corporal Patterson, says "something so significant about Vimy, is that the only person from our corp, KOCR, got their Victoria Cross from there, Private JG Pattison."

Kara Hughes, Chair of the Cochrane Army Cadets Parent Society, says she can't pin down which experience will stand out. "How do you pick one? I don't know if I can pick just one, this trip is going to be filled with so many experiences and history."

Sergeant Wambold can't believe the time is finally here."I am just really, really excited, I have been waiting two years for this."

Kara Hughes says the opportunity to go overseas would not have been possible without Cochrane's support.

"We could not have done it without the town of Cochrane's support, everyone worked very hard, and I am very proud of everybody."

KOCR RCACC leaves April 2 and will return to Cochrane on April 11.