Lead Line Naval Association of Canada Vancouver Island Newsletter

September – October 2017 • Volume 32, Issue 5

ORIOLE ON TOUR

HMCS Oriole participates in a formation sail past at the Port of Quebec during Rendez-vous 2017 in Quebec City, Quebec, on July 23. Oriole has been on an epic East Coast journey to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary. The CFB -based ship will go through a maintenance refit in Halifax this fall before returning home in the spring of 2018. Photo by Corporal Andrew Kelly, Canadian Forces Combat Camera INSIDE THIS ISSUE

President's Message...... 2 conducts layered missile engagement...... 6 Veteran's Corner...... 3 'Proud Boys' return to regular duties...... 8 In Brief...... 4 Interim AOR unveiled...... 10 Ottawa and return home...... 5 Communication changes on RCN ships...... 11 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE AN EXCITING YEAR OF CHANGE AHEAD

As summer winds down On November 23, Ray further development of our and the fall program builds, Protti, former head of CSIS, Naval Affairs work. This will it’s time to consider our course will be coming to speak on be a good time to explore op- going forward. Forest fires current international security portunities and build a solid keep us in a bit of a haze, but challenges. course going forward. clearing is predicted and our Mike Brossard is our OPI for An e-letter will be out short- schedule of activities is falling luncheons and I ask that you ly featuring our Executive and into place. contact him at mbrossard1@ the various tasks they have Our first luncheon is sched- shaw.ca or 250-544-1425 to taken on in support of our uled for September 28th, again confirm your attendance. members and our Navy. Stay at the Royal Victoria Yacht This October, Rod Hughes tuned. Club in Cadboro Bay. Our and I will be attending the We have an interesting Bill Conconi guest speaker will be Rear NAC National Conference course coming together for the Admiral Art McDonald, and AGM in St. John’s. As we listing of who will be letting next year and will continue to Commander MARPAC. He did last year, we will take as their name stand for election add options in the way of tours will be accompanied by some many proxies as we can back as a Director. Please consider and special events. of his senior staff. with us. To this end, Steve the list of candidates and mark It’s time to consider your On October 26 we will host White will bring copies of the your proxies accordingly. membership renewal and en- Captain David (Duke) Snider, forms with him to the next Issues going forward have courage friends and acquain- who is now the President of luncheon to facilitate your to do with the continuance tances to come on board and the Nautical Institute, an inter- voice at the AGM. The latest of Starshell—long time editor make the trip with us. national representative body issue of Starshell has informa- George A. Moore will produce Yours Aye, for maritime professionals. tion on the conference and a his final issue this fall—and Bill NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND AGM ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND

The National Conference is a one-day event host- ed by the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memo- rial University on Oct. 20. The theme is "The North Atlantic: Past and Present". The AGM will be held ACCOMMODATIONS on Oct. 21 at HMCS Cabot. Murray Premises Hotel/St. John’s Executive Suites, Concurrent with the conference will be sever- 5 Beck’s Cove, St. John’s, NL al special events celebrating the 75th anniversary www.murraypremiseshotel.com of the Crow's Nest Officers Club. These include a Phone (709) 738-7773 or (866) 738-7773 naval mess dinner at CFS St. John's on Oct. 21. The group block is under the Naval Association of Canada and delegates should ask for this block when calling. Compli- More details and registration forms are posted mentary continental deluxe breakfast is offered along with com- on the NAC website www.navalassoc.ca/ plimentary parking and Wi-Fi. Delegates should book by Sept. 19, occasions/2017-conference-and-agm. after which date any rooms remaining will be released, but may be booked after that date if still available.

2 • LEAD LINE & VETERANS CORNER FAMILY CAREGIVER RELIEF BENEFIT REPLACED

By Rod Hughes community. woman who takes care of her In the last Federal gov- The budget allocated $187.3 grandfather, who is a Veteran ernment budget, it was an- million over six years to cre- and continues to live at home. nounced that a number of ate the Caregiver Recognition Florence is not receiving com- initiatives were being put in Benefit to provide the $1,000 pensation for the care she is place to further support vet- per month to caregivers of ill providing, which includes dai- erans’ families and caregivers. and injured Veterans to better ly supervision, cooking, main- One of the Veterans Affairs recognize their vital role. taining the home, and running Canada (VAC) initiatives is The definition of a Caregiv- errands. The new Caregiver replacing the Family Care- er is a person 18 years of age Recognition Benefit will pro- giver Relief Benefit with a or older who plays an essen- vide Florence with the month- monthly benefit paid directly tial role in the provision or ly amount of $1,000 paid Rod Hughes to a Veteran's caregiver. This coordination of ongoing care directly to her in acknowledge- benefit comes into effect next for that Veteran in the Veter- the benefit will be indexed ment of the care and support spring. an’s home, for which that per- annually to keep pace with she provides. The proposed change de- son receives no other forms inflation. This initiative is intended livers directly on commit- of remuneration. To illustrate the new pro- to provide additional support ments of the Minister of VAC This new tax-free bene- gram, the VAC website to Veterans and their fami- and DND, and was specifi- fit of $1,000 a month will be (http://bit.ly/2vQTIeP) offers lies, and recognizes the inte- cally requested by the Vet- paid directly to a Veteran's an example: gral role of the caregiver in a erans caregiver stakeholder caregiver and, importantly, Florence is a 28-year-old Veteran's well being.

NAC-VI Executive Committee

President Bill Conconi [email protected] 250-652-1634 Past President Michael Morres [email protected] 250-592-8897 Vice President Rod Hughes [email protected] 250-472-8905 Secretary Mike Brossard [email protected] 250-544-1425 Treasurer Peter Bey [email protected] 250-652-2225 Membership Services Bill Macdonald [email protected] 250-661-3731 Director at Large Diana Dewar [email protected] Director at Large David Cooper [email protected] 250-472-8905 Director at Large Patrick Hunt [email protected] Director at Large Steve White [email protected] 250-652-8215

special appointments

Editor Carmel Ecker [email protected] 250-661-1269 Photography John Webber [email protected] 250-920-4159 Historian Stan Parker [email protected] 250-734-3360 Webmaster Eric Griffiths [email protected] 250-537-0608

Naval Association of Canada – Vancouver Island (NAC-VI) mailing address: P.O. Box 5221, Victoria, BC, Canada V8R 6N4

LEAD LINE • 3 & IN BRIEF

Naval Security Team working CFB Esquimalt Changes of Command with Fiji The Naval Security Team (NST) of the HMCS Vancouver's deployed a team outgoing Commanding of a dozen sailors on Aug. 11 from CFB Officer, Capt(N) Clive Esquimalt to Fiji to conduct force gener- Butler is rowed ashore ation training with the Republic of Fiji after passing command Navy. of the ship over to Cdr This deployment was part of the Roy- Christopher Nucci. al Canadian Navy’s (RCN’s) POSEIDON –Photo by LS Valerie CUTLASS series of deployments and LeClair, MARPAC provides a persistent Canadian Asia-Pa- Imaging Services. cific presence and an ongoing opportu- nity to engage in numerous exercises with regional partner navies at sea. The NST is a globally deployable na- val team designed primarily to provide enhanced force protection for the safety and security of deployed RCN ships and personnel at home or overseas. HMCS Reviewing Officer, LCdr Lucas Ken- HMCS Charlottetown joins ward (centre), signs the certificate offici- SNMG1 ating the command change between Sas- HMCS Charlottetown joined Standing katoon's Outgoing Commanding Officer, NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) LCdr Todd Bacon (right), and Incoming in early August on its way to the Med- Commanding Officer, LCdr Kristina iterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Gray (left). – Photo by LS David Gariepy, and Baltic Sea as part of Canada’s sup- Fleet Maintenance Facility MARPAC Imaging Services. port to NATO assurance and deterrence Outgoing Commanding Officer, measures in Central and Eastern Europe. Cap(N) Christopher Earl (left) handed On its second deployment under Op- command of FMF to Capt(N) Ed Hoop- eration Reassurance, Charlottetown re- er (right). Commander Maritime Forces places HMCS St. John’s, which arrived in Pacific, RAdm Art McDonald was the its home port of Halifax on July 17 after a Reviewing Officer. –Photo by Cpl Blaine six-month deployment. Sewell, MARPAC Imaging Services.

Combat Camera Photo HMCS Kingston sails past a gigantic iceberg as it proceeds northbound in the Davis Strait, north of the Arctic Circle. The Royal Canadian Navy is assisting the by capturing data on each iceberg to track and assist with reporting to mariners operating in the North. 4 • LEAD LINE & WEST COAST NEWS HMCS OTTAWA AND WINNIPEG RETURN HOME

HMC Ships Winnipeg and Ottawa returned home in August after a five-month deployment in the Asia-Pacific region on Poseidon Cutlass 17. The homecoming featured two successful marriage propos- als–Cpl Robert Basso of HMCS Ottawa to girlfriend Kacie Sut- ton, and LS Kyle Pillar of HMCS Winnipeg to his girlfriend Emily Norman. “Coming alongside is always special for the entire team, but being able to share in a family moment like this is extraordi- nary,” said Cdr Sylvain Belair, Ottawa’s Commanding Officer. Photos courtesy of MARPAC Imaging Services During their five month deployment, personnel from the two ships engaged in numerous exercises with regional part- Above: RAdm Art McDonald (centre), sa- ner navies, including the , the Chilean lutes HMCS Winnipeg Navy, the French Navy, the Indian Navy, and the United States as the ship arrives at Navy, to name a few. CFB Esquimalt. The ships also took part in key events and engagements in Left: Family gathered 14 different ports in China, Guam, India, Japan, Malaysia, the on the jetty, waiting for Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka and the United the two ships to come States. alongside.

LEAD LINE • 5 & WEST COAST NEWS HMCS OTTAWA COMPLETES LAYERED MISSILE ENGAGEMENT DURING POSEIDON CUTLASS By SLt Jacob Booth HMCS Ottawa achieved a milestone during its recent deployment, suc- cessfully completing a layered missile engagement against a Hammerhead target. After many weeks of training, the exercise concluded with the launch of an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) and engagements with the Bo- fors 57mm Mark III and 20mm close- in weapons system in an impressive display of firepower. Conducted off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, a first for the Royal Canadian Navy, the trial was intended to demon- strate the capabilities of the ESSM when used in surface-to-air and in sur- face-to-surface (SASS) mode against a small boat attack as might be experi- enced during asymmetric warfare. The target for the event was provid- ed by QinetiQ Target Systems Canada (formerly Meggitt), a Canadian com- An evolved sea sparrow missile is launched from Ottawa. pany based out of Medicine Hat, Alta. Intended for destruction, these targets Derek Urichuk, noted the anticipation and halting it from closing the ship any provide an outstanding opportunity in the Operations Room: “I couldn’t further. for ships to exercise their skills while believe the nervous excitement that When asked about witnessing the ex- employing weapons systems to their was felt throughout the ship as we all perience, the officer of the watch, Lt(N) full potential. awaited the shoot.” Stephan Oxley, remarked, “Participat- Preparations were extensive and An early morning start saw the com- ing in this exercise has been a highlight undertaken over countless hours of mencement of checklist items, which of my career - this is why I joined the training and study. From refining a culminated in a mid-morning action navy!” checklist of actions by individual team alarm energizing the ship to Action This exercise, combined with the members, to refining the optimal em- Stations. previous missile shoot in March off ployment of weapons and sensors, and Closing at high speed, the target was the coast of San Diego, Calif., demon- participating in increasingly complex piloted towards Ottawa to simulate a strated the navy’s ability to conduct and training scenarios, the Operations small attack craft, triggering the above support force generation overseas. Ad- Room worked on every detail to hone water warfare team to action. With ditionally, as part of the objectives of their operational skills and warrior the ship’s Surface Warfare Controller, Poseidon Cutlass 17-1, ships were re- spirit, not only to ensure the success of PO1 Eric Lemay, barking out orders, supplied with missiles while alongside the shoot, but also to defend the ship the team went through the layers of in Guam, and reloaded with targets against asymmetric threats such as defensive weapons, from the missile in Malaysia. Building the knowledge small boats. engagement, quickly transitioning to and skills to accomplish these complex Although everything was well pre- the 57mm main gun, and finally an en- logistical tasks was also a key element pared by the time Ottawa arrived on gagement with the close-in-weapons of the navy’s goals for this deployment. the range, Fire Control Operator, LS system, ultimately disabling the target Article courtesy of Lookout Newspaper 6 • LEAD LINE & WEST COAST NEWS ROUGHRIDER MASCOT STARS ONBOARD REGINA

HMCS Regina will soon be featured in a Roughriders promotion- al video. Gainer The Gopher, the official mascot of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, along with Roughriders President and Chief Executive Officer Craig Reynolds and two staff, spent some time on Regina this summer and filmed part of the experi- ence. The Roughriders first toured the ship, enjoyed a barbecue on board and pre- sented Cdr Colin Matthews, Regina’s Commanding Officer, with a gift bag stuffed with Roughriders souvenirs in- cluding a team flag and autographed football signed by members of the team. For the filming, Gainer visited the ship’s bridge where he sat in the captain’s chair, sounded the alarm, helped maintain the Personnel from HMCS Regina (left to right): Lt(N) Craig Newman, Lt(N) Jessica Mac- vessel’s 57 mm gun, took a ride on a Rig- Millan, MS Jamie Boparai, Cdr Colin Matthews, and SLt Dan Presseau gather on the flight deck with Saskatchewan Roughriders’ mascot Gainer the Gopher and ship’s id-Hulled Inflatable Boat, stopped by the mascot Gunner the Gopher (right). Photos by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper galley for a snack, and took a nap in the Commanding Officer’s cabin. Regina,” said Reynolds. “We are very football team.” “We were excited to come out to Victo- aware of their strong naval connection to The trip was a thanks to the ship for ria and visit the ship because it is such a our city, and it’s always nice to reinforce flying the Riders colors and being inter- special relationship we have with HMCS that connection to the navy and our national ambassadors for the team.

INVICTUS GAMES FLAG RELAY KICKS OFF AT CFB ESQUIMALT The Invictus Games Flag Relay set off from CFB Esquimalt on Aug. 16. Lasting 37 days, the 10,000 km relay will see 152 Canadians carry the Invictus Games Flag across the country as it visits 22 military bases, 15 Legions and more than 50 communities. Its final stop is Toronto where it will arrive in time for the opening of the third Lt(N) Krista Seguin Invictus Games, held from Sept. 23 to 30. waves the Invictus Founded by the United Kingdom’s Prince Harry in Games flag at CFB 2014, the Invictus Games are an international multi- Esquimalt Aug. 16. sport event involving wounded, injured and ill mili- Photo by LS David tary personnel and veterans. Gariepy, MARPAC Imaging. Athletes from militaries around the world will show that wounded does not mean defeated. LEAD LINE • 7 & EAST COAST NEWS ‘PROUD BOYS’ RETURN TO REGULAR DUTIES

Four military members–including three sailors–have resumed their regular du- ties following an investigation into their conduct in early July. Carrying a Red Ensign flag (Canada’s former national flag) and singing God Save the Queen, the members, calling themselves “The Proud Boys, Maritime Chapter”, interrupted an Indigenous ceremony in Halifax on Canada Day. The ceremony attendees were gathered around the statue of Edward Cornwallis as B.C.’s Chief Grizzly Mamma shaved her HMCS SACKVILLE A BIG DRAW FOR head in a ceremony to mourn Canada’s treatment of Indigenous Peoples. SUMMER TOURISTS IN HALIFAX Cornwallis, as the first governor of Nova Scotia, issued a bounty on Mi’kmaq By Ryan Melanson ply want to get a small look at what scalps in response to an attack on HMCS Sackville is once again one life was like for sailors during the colonists in 1749. of the top destinations for tourists Battle of the Atlantic. The July 1 confrontation was verbal and along the Halifax Waterfront and For those who aren’t planning on the military members left the ceremony across the region. stepping on board Sackville before after about 10 minutes. The last of Canada’s Second World touring the waterfront, the imposing The four must pass a probation period War Corvettes—now a museum ship structure and its unique camouflage to continue their employment with the under the care of the Canadian Naval paint tends to capture attention, and military. Memorial Trust—recently received its the Trust has found the ship’s visual Though the members didn’t face charges 2017 Certificate of Excellence from presence downtown is also its most following the investigation, RAdm John Trip Advisor. These are awarded each effective form of publicity. Newton, then-Commander Joint Task year based on the attractions or busi- “We’ve spent considerable sums Force Atlantic and Maritime Forces At- nesses that get consistently strong through the years to advertise our- lantic, told the CBC on Aug. 31 that the reviews from the website’s users, and selves, but the best advertising seems punishment is sufficiently stringent. Sackville has been chosen a number to be the eyeball itself,” says Thomas. “This is a permanent mark on a mem- of years in a row. The ship is now open for tours at the ber’s record,” he said. “Any trespass “It shows that we’re still getting waterfront seven days a week from 10 against those conditions, any repeat, leads good reports from guests, and we’re a.m. – 4 p.m., and visitors can choose to their release from the Canadian Armed pretty pleased to be included in the to explore Sackville on their own or Forces, or, it’s good potential depending top 10 year after year, out of about 150 get a guided tour. on those circumstances, will lead to their sites in the HRM,” said Doug Thomas, For more information about Sack- release.” the executive director of the Memori- ville, the Canadian Naval Memorial Newton said the members violated the al Trust. Trust, or the ongoing Battle of the military’s code of conduct, which says Every summer, Sackville crewmem- Atlantic Place project, visit http:// members cannot be seen or heard by bers meet visitors or cruise ship pas- hmcssackville.ca. members of the public doing anything sengers who have family naval or Sec- Article courtesy of the Trident that could “reflect discredit on the Cana- ond World War connections, who are Newspaper. dian Forces or on any of its members.” military or history buffs, or who sim- 8 • LEAD LINE & EAST COAST NEWS

HMCS Goose Bay sails past Percé Rock near the Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec during the Great Lakes Deployment on June 18, 2017. Photos courtesy of CF Combat Camera. WARSHIPS TAKE TO THE GREAT LAKES By Lt(N) Diane Larose da Day festivities in its namesake city. For Canada’s 150th anniversary HMC Ships Goose Bay and This deployment also hopes to attract talented, diverse and Toronto participated in the annual Great Lakes Deployment, dedicated individuals who may have never previously consid- the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) major outreach event. ered a career in the navy or Naval Reserve. A few lucky in- A Great Lakes Deployment sees one or more ships based dividuals from the Saguenay region in Québec who have al- out of travel from their home port of ready made the decision to join the Halifax to cities along the Great Lakes, giving Canadians, who had their enrolment ceremony at Chicoutimi’s Naval Reserve would otherwise never have the opportunity, a chance to see a Division HMCS Champlain on the jetty next to HMCS Goose warship first-hand. Bay. All new candidates had a tour of the ship following the These deployments take place almost every summer and ceremony. have been happening since 1959 when the opening of the St. Article courtesy of the Crowsnest. Lawrence Seaway made it possible for larger ships to travel through the locks. HMCS Goose Bay in Toronto. Each year the cities visited by the ships changes. Typically the ships will visit major cities such as Québec City, Montréal and Toronto, in addition to many smaller communities. Pre- vious Great Lakes Deployments have traveled as far inland as Thunder Bay, Ont. The ships went the extra mile this year to welcome the com- munity onboard, all in the spirit of Canada 150. Events includ- ed tours, Indigenous welcoming ceremonies, displays about life in the RCN, and day and overnight sails for local leaders. Sailors also traveled into the communities to take part in local sporting events and even citizenship ceremonies to welcome new Canadians. As well, HMCS Toronto participated in Cana- LEAD LINE • 9 & NATIONAL NEWS

Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, left, and Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Michel Vigneault were on hand for the unveil- ing of the converted MV Asterix.

INTERIM AOR UNVEILED IN QUEBEC By Ryan Melanson support ship by Davie Shipbuilding. service supporting the Atlantic or The Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) In a news release, the shipbuilder Pacific fleet by early next year. interim Auxiliary Oiler Replenish- said Asterix will provide “a wide range The unveiling event included the ment ship was unveiled to the public of functions from at-sea replenish- traditional breaking of a champagne in its nearly-completed state during ment of fuels and cargo to aviation bottle on the bow by the sponsor of the an open house at Davie Shipbuilding’s support, fleet medical support and ship in order to bless the ship and its Quebec shipyard on July 21. humanitarian and disaster relief” to crew, which was performed by Pauline Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, Com- the RCN. Théberge, spouse of J. Michel Doyon, mander RCN, was at the unveiling, The ship is intended to fill the navy’s the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec. along with a number of representa- replenishment-at-sea capability gap as Davie Shipbuilding Chairman Alex tives from industry and the federal it awaits the construction and arrival Vicefield said the day was a celebration government. He said it was a privilege of the Queenston-class Joint Support of what the company’s team of ship- for both himself and RCN Chief Petty Ships. The federal government has builders has achieved in a short time Officer, Chief Petty Officer First Class agreed to lease the ship for a five-year frame. Work on the conversion began Michel Vigneault, to be some of the period, with a crew of Canadian Armed in May of last year. first people to see the converted con- Forces specialists serving alongside ci- “The delivery of this ship will restore tainer ship in its new, freshly painted vilian mariners and a civilian master Canada’s ability to form a naval task state. employed by Davie sister company group. What a great way to celebrate MV Asterix, as it will remain known Federal Fleet Services. Canada’s 150th anniversary,” he said. during its service to the navy, has been The ship is expected in Halifax this Article courtesy of the Trident dubbed the first Resolve-class naval fall to begin trials, and is set to be in Newspaper 10 • LEAD LINE & NATIONAL NEWS COMMUNICATION CHANGES ON RCN SHIPS

Royal Canadian Navy sailors have an all of us.” easier time staying in touch with family In the longer-term, developing a and friends due to a recent cell phone WiFi capability in ships will help re- policy change and efforts to bring WiFi cruit and retain new sailors who will to deployed ships. see that the RCN understands that New regulations introduced earlier staying connected is an important this summer greatly expand the areas consideration, according to Cmdre where ships’ companies can use their Donovan. “Young Canadians today cell phones and other personal mobile can’t live without their phones; why devices. would we think they can just because Most high-tech gadgets including cell they are in a ship?” phones, tablets, E-Readers, game con- The first step is to have WiFi avail- soles, Blu-Ray players, wireless speak- able in the ships’ three messes and the ers, smart wear and virtually any device And last month, the navy announced captain’s cabin. Sailors in ships that are capable of wireless transmission, can it was working towards having WiFi alongside or close to shore will then be now be used in almost every location available across the fleet of Hali- able to connect using their personal on a surface vessel. Their use continues fax-class and maritime coastal devices because the ship is connected to be restricted in areas where classified defence vessels. to cellular networks. Eventually, new processes is taking place, such as the “If having WiFi allows sailors to satellite communications terminals in bridge and Operations Room. stay better connected with family and ships will enable them to connect any- The old policy limited the use of wire- friends while away from home, then where in the ocean. less technology to the flight deck, quar- this is a positive step forward in reduc- “Eventually, we hope to expand the ter decks and hangar of Halifax-Class ing the hardships that often disconnect WiFi footprint beyond the messes and Frigates, and similar areas on other them from the normal world,” said into sleeping quarters,” Cmdre Don- RCN vessels. Cmdre Casper Donovan, Director ovan says. “It will be a kind of crawl, “This is a time where the RCN em- General Naval Force Development, walk, run approach.” phasizes our motto that says: People who is leading efforts to introduce the To begin the trial, WiFi was intro- First, Mission Always. This new policy capability into the RCN. duced in HMCS Toronto while the is a progressive one that allows sailors to Part of that effort also means stay- was alongside in Québec City have a much better quality of life while ing in sync with technology given that during Rendez-vous 2017 in mid-July. they are away from their loved ones, all new devices such as tablets and some It was an instant hit with the crew. the while maintaining a high degree of laptops, and certainly cell phones, are One sailor immediately tweeted out: security,” says CPO2 Carl Dixon, Infor- being developed without an ability to “Having WiFi in the C&POs is pretty mation and Security Systems officer for connect to traditional network cables cool!” Joint Task Force Pacific N6. and jacks. “When we have figured out the MARPAC Information and Protec- “Communicating is a huge priority equipment and finalized the engi- tion Officer, Robert Sayle says the pol- for the RCN,” says Cmdre Donovan. neering specifications, another ship icy change had been in the works for “We want our sailors to be able to stay will have WiFi installed in the messes, some time, and after a careful review connected, not just with their loved hopefully in September,” says Cmdre of the policy by senior leadership, the ones, but also their social networks. Donovan. “Once we ensure it all works thumbs up was given for the changes. The RCN is being innovative in how it well, we will roll out WiFi in all the “There has been a big push for this communicates and social media is an- ships’ messes, and then begin to move initiative and a risk analysis was re- other means to allow us to communi- forward with satellite communications cently done by DND to investigate the cate on various fronts, both externally technology so that sailors can connect impacts of permitting these devices on and internally, from the top down. If from anywhere. This will mean one board its vessels,” says Sayle. “Mobile this means Commander RCN can con- less hardship to endure as they head to devices are ubiquitous and DND of- nect broadly and meaningfully with sea, away from family and friends.” ficials in Ottawa have established that sailors through social media while -With files from Crowsnest and Look- the [security] risk is minimal.” they are at sea, then it is beneficial to out Newspaper LEAD LINE • 11 & HISTORY FRANK POOLE RECEIVES LEGION OF HONOUR

Second World War and Korean War veteran Frank Poole says the Legion of Honour medal, bestowed upon him this summer, is perhaps the most precious he’s received to date. Capt (retired) Poole, 93, was presented France’s highest order of military merit by RAdm Art McDonald, Command- er , during a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead. Poole says the Legion of Honour holds special cultural significance for his entire family. “This is so big and my family mem- bers are in awe,” says Poole. “I grew up in Cape Breton and can trace my family tree back to Normandy, and my wife of 59 years [Melodie] is of Acadian RAdm Art McDonald personally awarded the Legion of Honour Medal to Frank Poole descent. So yes, this is a truly great with wife Melodie was by his side. Inset: Frank Poole’s portrait taken during his mili- moment for the whole family.” tary career. The Legion of Honour award was originally established in 1802 by Na- captured and interrogated in solitary being saved for?” poleon Bonaparte and has been award- confinement before being sent to Moos- What helped him through his trauma ed to approximately 93,000 veterans burg in southern Bavaria and the infa- and depression was a chance reunion worldwide. In 2015 the French Govern- mous Stalag VII-A, Germany’s largest with an old friend whose cottage was ment began honouring 1,000 Canadian Prisoner of War Camp. located near Poole’s campsite. veterans with the award to commemo- Thankfully, Poole’s ordeal there was no When a brush fire raged through the rate the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day more than 10 weeks before the prisoners forest, the pair worked together to damp- Landing. were liberated. en the ground and trees with a hose to The award is a five-armed cross with “The solitary confinement wasn’t good save the cottage. Poole said the moment a v-shaped cut out at the end of each and neither was the prison camp. The was big and helped ease his guilt and point, and surrounded by a wreath of memories of it haven’t gone away to this rebuild his self-esteem. laurel leaves. day and I’m not completely over the ex- “I finally had a feeling of self-worth Poole was an aviator and air gunner perience,” he says. again, that I was part of the community, during the Second World War. When Poole returned to Cape Breton and had contributed something,” he said. In January 1945, the young Sergeant he couldn’t stand to be around other Poole enlisted in the armed forces was aboard a people or large groups. again when war broke out in Korea. He Halifax Heavy Bomber, 18,000 feet over He left his family and headed to the completed an 18-month deployment Hannover, Germany, when it was shot back country of New Brunswick where as a Battle Instructor. That deployment down. he camped in a makeshift tent for weeks earned him a Victory Medal. Poole survived by bailing out of the in an effort to come to terms with his Poole retired from the Canadian plane and landing in a snow bank. memories and thoughts of the war. Armed Forces in 1971 and moved to He set out through the dark country- “There were only two who escaped the Victoria. side and found shelter in a barn. After a plane wreck that day and it was a mira- Editor's note: This is a condensed ver- day going undetected, he set out again cle that I survived both the crash and the sion of a story written by Peter Mallett for in a futile attempt to walk to safety. POW camp,” says Poole. “But the ques- the Lookout Newpaper. To read a more de- After falling into a river and nearly tion I couldn’t get out of my mind was tailed account of Frank Poole's experience freezing to death, he was eventually how come I was so lucky, and what was I during the war, visit http://bit.ly/2gHrjNP 12 • LEAD LINE &