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CFMWS ~Last fall, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) newspapers invited youth from military families between ages 13 and 18 to take part in the Youth Reporter Competition, and a chance to win a grand prize package and scholarship valued at $2,500.Youth were asked to submit a story idea about something important to their life or the community around them. Over 50 applications were received from across the country and around the world.  A selection committee comprised of CAF newspaper editors met in late January to go through the applications and select the six most unique and powerful stories with the best editorial merit. The six finalists were informed in early February and were given a few weeks to deliver their unique stories. They will be featured in a special PLAY e-zine edition published on CAFconnection.ca and in Canadian Forces newspapers across the country.“What a great opportunity for the youth of our military community to share their voices,” said Colonel Telah Morrison, Director, Military Family Services. “I thank CAF newspapers for creating this program and giving youth the means by which to express themselves.” CAF newspapers are now inviting community members to vote for their favourite story and  a chance to win a prize as well. Voting is May 1 to May 31 at CAFconnection.ca/YouthReporter.  Support our youth. Take the time to get to know these young finalists, read these unique stories, and cast your vote to crown the best Youth Reporter of 2020.Youth reporter finalists:Melissa Holyhead-Miles, Chilliwack, BCLleyton Maday, Morinville, ABKatya Arifin, Toronto, ONMikaël Bowes, St-Lin, QCMegan Henwood, Moncton, NBLuke Shields, Campbell River, BC––––

[caption id="attachment_23468" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Photographer Kathryn Mussallem captured this portrait of Ordinary Seaman Dale Bouchard during a 2016 sail in HMCS Calgary.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~For the last eleven years, Kathryn Mussallem, 44, has photographed the navies of the world.It’s an interest that began in 2009 while attending The School of Visual Arts in New York City as a grad student. As she walked the streets of Manhattan, she would often see United States Navy members walking about in full dress whites with their canvas Dixie-Cup hats. “It looked like they were walking off a movie set from the 1940s,” said Mussallem. “Their uniform had never changed at that point and I was intrigued by that.”She was able to photograph them during Fleet Week, up close portraits that revealed their human side, the person rather than the military. That collection made its way onto the pages of an arts magazine and launched a pursuit that continues to this day. “I try to show the human side and the faces of people who serve. I want people to understand these men and women are your friends, brothers, sisters, and parents,” she says. “It’s a hard life. They are doing their jobs and making great sacrifices for freedoms many of us take for granted, and are leaving their families for long periods of time while they are away at sea.” Her work has won many accolades including the 2016 Sony World Photography Award for Sailor in the Spotlight that featured sailors hitting the dance floor at a popular bar in New York. It became part of a group exhibition at London’s famed art centre Somerset House. Her solo exhibition Tattoos and Scrimshaw: The Art of the Sailor, captured at a Fleet Week event in Boston in 2012, has appeared at maritime museums in New...

[caption id="attachment_23464" align="aligncenter" width="592"] No speeches, no march past as Artillery Regiment inducts new Commander, LCol Michael Lomax[/caption]Captain J.A. Manney, Public Affairs Officer, 39 Canadian Brigade Group ~Five people in an otherwise empty armoury wasn’t quite the change of command ceremony LCol Michael Lomax had anticipated.Most in the regiment are sheltering at home, so the ceremony imparted a “surreal” look to his first day on the job. But LCol Lomax says the tradition of marking his assumption of command of the 5th (British Columbia) Field Artillery Regiment has never been more important.“I think it’s critical to help soldiers understand we are all part of something greater than any one of us. Ceremonies like a change of command help instill a strong sense of connection to the Regiment and a real sense of family. That is our foundation in peace, in war, and most definitely in times of crisis.”He replaced LCol Brendon LeBlanc on April 25 at Victoria’s Bay Street Armoury. He credits LCol LeBlanc’s four-year tenure for, among other things, preparing the unit to weather the COVID-19 crisis. More than 30 Regiment soldiers are now attached to Land Task Force Vancouver Island, part of the Land (Army) Component Command forces working under Joint Task Force (Pacific) in the event government requests military assistance.“In the short term our goal is to continue that strong contribution,” LCol Lomax said. “We need to ensure we take care of our soldiers during this time of crisis and we’re looking out for their physical, mental, and financial well-being.”Fortunately for the soldiers of 5th Field, LCol Lomax is no stranger to taking care of people. A lawyer, mediator, and one-time director of CFB Esquimalt’s Dispute Resolution Centre, he now leads a team of mediators with the B.C. Public Service Agency, the government’s Human Resources department. His team is...

[caption id="attachment_23459" align="aligncenter" width="593"] PO2 Alastair Chaplin[/caption]SLt Joshua Ehnisz, MARPAC Public Affairs Office ~For the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy the show must go on despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Band members are safely isolating at home, but need to keep their skills fresh. This means practicing alone and together from afar. “Individual practice is a part of the Naden Band’s routine regardless of isolation,” said PO2 Alastair Chaplin, senior musician and trumpet player. “The difficulty has been rehearsals, if we can’t get together, rehearsing pieces as a band is impossible.”Video conferencing apps such as Zoom have been considered, but when it comes to music rehearsals they lack the connection speed needed to effectively transfer audio quickly enough for them to play together in rhythm. “We are like athletes in a sense. Although right now athletes can’t compete, but they still need to maintain a rigorous workout schedule in order to stay alert and ready to compete. The Naden Band has much the same approach. We need to practice and maintain our proficiency and keep playing our instruments. If we break for weeks and months it would be difficult to immediately start performing at events once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted,” he adds.The band is looking at more in-depth measures to improve individual practicing and the possibility of compiling audio recordings to better synchronize them. They remain optimistic that some upcoming events will be held, of course public health remains the highest priority and they will continue to wait until healthcare professionals deem it appropriate. "We all do our best no matter the circumstances and are very committed and passionate about what we contribute to the country and the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Lt(N) Catherine Norris, Commanding Officer and Director of Music of the Naden Band. “We stay creative, run different...

[caption id="attachment_23455" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Members of the Sunday service group pose on the bridge wing of HMCS Nanaimo as the ship transits off the coast of Vancouver Island. Left to Right: LS Ramsin Zaro, LS Randy Klausnitzer, LS Kathy Sanchez, SLt Jessica Pelletier, OS Amy Acosta, Lt(N) Mark Herrick, and OS Jesse Roberts.[/caption]Lt Chelsea Dubeau, Public Affairs Officer ~In times of uncertainty some people turn to faith, others to each other. In these times of uncertainty where we are at war with COVID-19 and isolation and illness is rampant, it makes sense that we crave the company of others and perhaps the company of whatever higher power we might feel called to. It felt appropriate then, that on a chilly Sunday morning in April, a small group of sailors on board HMCS Nanaimo took part in a most naval and human tradition: Sunday service. But this Sunday service wasn't like the others. Ship and crew had just returned to sea after a week's rest following two months away from home. During this brief respite, the sailors returned to a world much different from the one they'd left in February when they deployed on Operation Caribbe - an operation from which they had to return early due to the COVID-19 crisis. The world they returned to was isolated, restricted, and fearful. The closures, lineups, masks, and death tolls - things that folks isolating at home since the beginning of the pandemic had time to assimilate into their lives - were thrown at them immediately. They were briefed on what was expected of them. Stay home. Stay healthy. If you must go out, let it be only for essentials. Many sailors on board are reservists whose home is elsewhere and some were unable to visit home to see loved ones because of travel...

DND ~"It made my hair stand on end a bit to be stopped in U-boat waters!" a crew member of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Swansea said about the decision of his commanding officer – Commander Clarence King – to rescue survivors from a sinking German U-boat.It was March 10, 1944, when U-boat 845 first made contact with an Allied convoy in the North Atlantic.The Battle of the Atlantic, the struggle between the Allied and German forces for control of the Atlantic Ocean, was at its height.The Allies needed to keep the vital flow of men and supplies going between North America and Europe, where they could be used in the fighting, while the Germans wanted to cut these supply lines. To do this, German U-boats and other warships prowled the Atlantic Ocean sinking Allied transport ships.But in this case, as U-845 made contact with the convoy, it was picked up by an escort, HMCS St. Laurent, and depth-charged.When the U-boat surfaced later that night, it was attacked by St. Laurent and three other escorts of 9th Escort Group: HMCS Swansea, HMCS Owen Sound and His Majesty’s Ship (HMS) Forester.There was some danger of the ships firing into or colliding with each other in the excitement, and it took skill to prevent that from happening.The combined firepower was too much for the U-boat, and its crew began abandoning the sinking submarine.King had his boarding party standing by but felt it unwise to risk the lives of his men as the submarine was sinking by the stern. He lay stopped in the water while survivors were rescued, despite the agitation of his crew members who were wary of other possible U-boats in the area.For King, rescuing survivors took precedence over any possible danger.At the time, he was 58 years old, on the old side for...

Shipmates, as you are aware, 2020 is the 75th anniversary of our victory in the Second World War’s longest campaign, the Battle of the Atlantic – a national effort against a formidable foe. Ironically, this anniversary has fallen upon us as we now struggle with a different type of foe and again we need to unite from coast-to-coast-to-coast in our actions to secure a critical victory in the pandemic we face. It goes without saying that we are in a very uncertain and unprecedented time as we fight to vanquish this new hidden enemy, as our predecessors did against theirs 75 years ago. Beyond a doubt, the fight against COVID-19 is going to have an impact on all of us – indeed it already has significantly impacted our daily routines, both at work and at home. In this light, I have decided that our year-long celebration of the anniversary will undertake a nation-wide operational pause of all RCN-led commemoration activities until at least the end of May. Significantly, this means that the premiere BOA Sunday commemorative events and ceremonies planned for May 3, 2020, including the National Commemoration at the National War Memorial - as well as the events planned in the few days running-up to BOA Sunday - will all be deferred. This decision aligns too, by the way, with the recent announcement by the Naval Association of Canada (NAC) that, following consultation with the RCN, the NAC-led BOA Gala Dinner previously scheduled for Thursday, April 30 at the National War Museum is also deferred. These deferrals align with the unprecedented requirements of our current national pandemic response efforts and clearly reflect our prioritization of the health and well-being of our veterans, our sailors, our families, and of our communities at large. Further, the unfortunate necessity for deferral reflects...

[caption id="attachment_23418" align="aligncenter" width="579"] Retired Royal Canadian Navy Commander Peter Chance[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A popular Facebook meme - brief, blunt and to the point – effectively shames those not adhering to the physical distancing and isolation protocols.It reads: “Your grandparents were called to fight in World Wars. You’re being called to wash your hands and sit on the couch. Don’t [expletive] this up.”Many of those grandparents who helped lead us to victory in the last global crisis are no longer with us, but a handful are still here, and have a thing or two to say about the COVID-19 crisis. One of them is 99-year-old Peter Chance, a retired Royal Canadian Navy Commander with many a salty tale to tell of his service. He had been planning to move into an assisted care facility, but the COVID-19 situation put the brakes on that. A social worker makes regular visits to assist him with cleaning, and until recently he received regular visits from friends. Now he is self-isolating and following physical distancing advice to the letter. “Some people are making terrible mistakes and placing themselves in danger and creating a situation where they might contaminate someone else with the virus,” he said. “There are two sides to this coin, and neither are good sides.”He says there are several parallels to now and the Second World War, especially in how the world responded and the unity that was required for victory. Chance spent several months in London during the Blitz, the devastating bombing raids by Germany towards the end of the Battle of Britain.“There were nightly blackouts, food and drink was hard to come by and it was rationed, but despite this crisis people pulled together,” he said.  “We made jokes, tried to make light of what was really a terrible situation,...

[caption id="attachment_23412" align="aligncenter" width="593"] During the Second World War, Olive Bailey worked in a factory that made engines for the Halifax bomber, shown here in a picture she painted.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~For decades Olive Bailey, 99, kept secret her work during the Second World War and the pivotal role she played in bringing it to an end. She was a young woman living through the Blitz – German bombings on London and Wales – studying mathematics at the University of London and working in a factory making engines for Halifax bombers. She even survived a direct hit on her workplace and was dug out from the rubble. Then in 1942, the British Intelligence assigned her to work at Bletchley Park as a code breaker. It was a top-secret project in a Victorian mansion 60 kilometres north of London. She was told never to breathe a word to anyone about her work. The job was to break the German Enigma, a device used to encode strategic messages. Heading the project was legendary mathematician and computer science pioneer Alan Turing.“He had a lovely sense of humour and we got along very well,” remembers Bailey. As part of a large team, she worked around-the-clock trying to decipher the more than 84,000 messages intercepted each month sent from German Command to German U-boat commanders to locate and attack allied vessels. She worked on Turing’s massive computer system, nicknamed Victory, with his invention eventually breaking the Enigma code. She recalls Turing’s invention as an intimidating mass of dials and infinite number of wires hanging down the front of the machine. Her job was to take the decrypted messages to the office where Turing and the “higher ups and big brains” were located. She describes him as a person who would talk in bursts and had...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Author Glenn Carley, 62, can relate to being isolated in one location for an extended period. Forty years ago, he spent two summers at Canadian Forces Station Alert, working on an environment cleanup team.The remote signals and intercept station is located on the northwestern tip of Ellesmere Island. In 1978, the site had accumulated its share of rubbish since its establishment in the 1950s; it was the students’ job to mitigate the impact military presence had on the environment. Those two summers influenced his development and decades later he felt compelled to write about it.Last month he released a non-fiction book documenting his experiences working in a place he describes as “an artefact of Canadiana.”Good Enough From Here, published by Rock Mills press, traces the journey of Carley and his all-male civilian workforce, who travelled from Trenton, Ont. to their temporary home in the high Arctic. “It’s really a bird’s eye view of military culture during the cold war from a civilian’s perspective,” says Carley. “I wrote it for everyone who has lived and worked there and were nicknamed The Frozen Chosen.”Isolation only lasted three months for the students, but military members had to endure more than six months of polar climate, complete snow cover for most of the year, polar nights when the evening lasts for more than 24 hours, and midnight sun where the sun is visible at midnight.   Even during the brighter summer months some students – or tourists as they were nicknamed - couldn’t tolerate feeling cut-off from the rest of the world. “One student worker couldn’t hack that isolation. He essentially had a homesick heart and was airlifted to his home in the south for his own wellbeing. He wasn’t the only one who sometimes felt that way.” Carley writes of the human...

[caption id="attachment_23398" align="aligncenter" width="593"] The wreckage of the missing plane carrying the two men that crashed 31 years ago.[/caption]Capt Lewis Williams, 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron ~The date is June 20, 1987. Two seasoned outdoorsmen climb aboard a small single-engine Piper Super Cub on floats. They are heading on a fishing trip to McDougall Lake in the Wells Gray Provincial Park area. After leaving Eagle Bay, the aircraft was not seen again for 31 years.Fast forward to September 2018. Most of 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron were deployed to Kamloops as part of a search to locate an overdue aircraft. The small two-seat plane had been flying a low-level valley route operating under Visual Flight Rules, and, with reports and radar from NORAD, it led the crews to a specific location just west of Blue River.For a few days they searched the extremely mountainous terrain that was either heavily treed or had steep snow-capped peaks. The landscape was notoriously challenging when searching for a small, white aircraft. Crews had been assigned their search areas from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Victoria. The pre-search checks were completed and once on scene all eyes scoured the terrain for a glimpse of anything manmade and out of place.Luck at Kostal LakeThe crew had turned around a ridge near Kostal Lake and noticed a white metallic object in the trees. They decided to investigate. Given the area, required a hoist insertion of search and rescue technicians. It was a challenging operation given the high density altitude and tall trees presenting an obstacle for the 200’ hoist. Sgt Morgan Boutilier and MCpl Yannyk Daley attached their harnesses to the hoist and were lowered down one by one by flight engineer MCpl David Schulz with Capt Henrik ‘Hank’ Schulte-Bisping monitoring the aircraft’s performance as to not exceed any limitations. Once the search and rescue technicians were on the ground, they radioed back that it was an aircraft wreckage, but did not match the aircraft registration they...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The postponement of the Boston Marathon did not stop PO2 Roy Styffe from completing the gruelling 42.2 kilometre run on his own.The 56-year-old qualified for the world-famous race after completing his first-ever marathon in 2018, Victoria’s Goodlife Fitness Marathon. He planned to tackle the April 20 Boston Marathon, but then came the COVID-19 pandemic, and a change to a virtual marathon. Last week, he and countless other runners around the world completed their own virtual marathon. “I decided to run a virtual marathon because I had dedicated six months of my life, running five days a week to prepare for it,” says PO2 Styffe, who is a Naden Band member. “Training for a marathon is a very obsessive process, so I needed to have that sense of completion for what I had worked so hard for.”He set off on the Galloping Goose regional trail near Sooke and arrived at his virtual finish line on the Selkirk Trestle Bridge in Victoria with a time of 3:16:10. That time, exclaimed PO2 Styffe, was 12 minutes faster than his first marathon, and went way better than anticipated. “The hard work in training really paid off; every time I run it’s a humbling experience,” said PO2 Styffe. “It is a privilege and makes me realize with every step I take, I am learning and growing and also inspiring other people.”Upon reflection, he thinks he could have shaved another five minutes off his time if it were not for the stop lights and roadway crossings he encountered.As the marathon wore on, he maintained his focus and physical distance, although there were few people on the regional trail.“Thankfully, there is a lot of space on that trail allowing everyone using it to maintain a safe distance,” said PO2 Styffe. Members of the Naden...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Langford’s Market on Millstream has come to the aid of house-bound military families having difficulty shopping because of COVID-19 self isolation and physical distancing measures.The grocery store is offering free delivery service to those living in the Westshore who have a military partner deployed.The program launched after store co-owner Darryl Hein learned about the “deplorable” harassment of military mom Janene Walker of Sooke. On two separate occasions she was heckled for bringing her two children on shopping trips. Her husband is deployed in HMCS Whitehorse and she has no one to watch them.“In this unfolding public health crisis, there are a small element of people who are quick to mind other people’s business and point fingers, and many of them are doing it with misinformation,” said Hein. The store’s delivery van began delivering free-of charge orders on April 20 to military families living in Sooke, Langford, View Royal, and Esquimalt. The initiative is one way of letting military members know he and his staff support them.“It’s just the Canadian thing for us to do, to let those who serve know we are all in this together.” Unwarranted assaultsThe 36-year-old stay-at-home mother faced profanity-laced verbal abuse from customers in a hardware store parking lot and at a grocery store in Langford in March because she had her children with her. Her husband, LS Joe Walker, has been deployed in HMCS Whitehorse since Feb. 10. This has meant going it alone to manage the children, the home, and stocking up the refrigerator and pantry with kids in tow. “I shouldn’t have to defend myself in pubic for trying to take care of my family,” she said. Plus, she’s done the neighbourly thing and bought groceries for another military family in quarantine because of travelling outside Canada. She is now determined not to let people bully her in public and act like “the pandemic police.” Walker’s husband is one of approximately 650 personnel deployed in eight Royal Canadian Navy ships...

[caption id="attachment_23375" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Inset: Private Steven Marshall[/caption]Lt(N) Greg Menzies, HMCS Calgary PAO ~A hockey jersey can represent many things, and some, like Leading Seaman Cindy Veilleux’s jersey, have an amazing story associated with them. For the last year, she has travelled in Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships with a Calgary Flames jersey neatly folded in her duffle bag.The Saint-Georges, Quebec, native came to have a special connection with the City of Calgary after meeting Private Steven Marshall a decade ago when she was a Combat Engineer. The two were on course at Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown, New Brunswick, and became fast friends. “Steven was born and raised in Calgary and proud to call Calgary home,” said LS Veilleux. “When we first met, I knew right away how much he loved the Calgary Flames. Hockey was his passion and he would play or watch it anywhere, anytime. Hockey was in his soul.”After their Combat Engineer’s course, Pte Veilleux (her rank before re-enlisting to the navy) and Pte Marshall were posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, 11 Field Squadron in Edmonton, Alberta, and were deployed to Afghanistan in October 2009. Only one week into their deployment, Private Marshall was killed by an improvised explosive device while on foot patrol south east of Kandahar City.The loss was devastating news and Pte Veilleux knew she had to finish the deployment knowing her friend had made the ultimate sacrifice.“When we returned home in May, my section commander organized a get together for Steven’s father, Murray Marshall, to meet the soldiers who had deployed with his son,” recalls LS Veilleux. “It was the first time I met Murray and it was very emotional. Ten years later, Murray and Steven’s memory are still an important part of my life.”She released from the Canadian Armed Forces in...

[caption id="attachment_23333" align="alignnone" width="591"] SLt Jason Wychopen takes a bearing from the bridge of HMCS Calgary during Directed Ship Readiness Training.[/caption] SLt Greg Menzies, HMCS Calgary PAO ~It’s not every day a Naval Warfare Officer can complete the Naval Officer Professional Qualification (NOPQ) while at sea.In fact, on the west coast it’s quite rare, and that’s why is was a big deal for Sub-Lieutenant Jason Wychopen. The NOPQ board is a test where a Naval Warfare Officer is ‘boarded’ before several senior naval officers that specialize in all aspects of operating a warship. They become eligible to challenge the board after completing an NOPQ package that contains hundreds of prerequisite signatures that ensure they are proficient in all inner workings of a warship. This process typically takes two years. Once they have completed the package and are nominated by their captain, a Naval Warfare Officer is given notice they will be boarded. Preparation is usually a few weeks of studying material to better prepare for this extensive test. For SLt Wychopen, he was given one hour’s notice while sailing in HMCS Calgary. Calgary is currently doing its Directed Sea Readiness Training program while participating in a Task Group Exercise with HMC Ships Regina, Brandon, Whitehorse, Nanaimo, and two Orca-Class Patrol Craft Training (PCT) Vessels, PCT Cougar and Wolf, off the coast of Vancouver Island. “As result of having Sea Training (Pacific) and the Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific and his staff on board Calgary, there was the correct number of assessment personnel to convene a qualification board,” said SLt Wychopen. The board involves two parts; the first being theoretical, where senior officers ask questions that pertain to Officer of the Watch work. These are skill-testing questions that ensure the fundamentals of being a Naval Warfare Officer are understood. The second part is conducted practically...

  2Lt Travis Winship, Base Adminstration ~A TEAM STORY FROM BASE ADMINISTRATIONNelles Block is both an accommodation centre, much like a hotel, and a barracks, where rules and regulations are to be followed. Military members are the primary residents – currently 431 are being housed in the three-storey building. As they come and go, their primary interaction with front end staff is with Commissionaires Dave Brand, 70, and Howie Becker, 75. Their positions have been deemed a critical core service during the COVID-19 crisis. Cmre Becker manages the front desk taking bookings, billing for residents’ stay, and other clerical duties. A Plexiglas panel has been installed at the front desk to mitigate potential contamination between residents and himself. Cmre Brand manages maintenance, keeping the building clean, including six washrooms, and organizing required repairs. Reduced on-site manning has added to his workload, so he tackles any extra required cleaning. The two serve as ad hoc barrack wardens, reminding residents to adhere to the physical distancing policy. In the washrooms, every second toilet and sink has been disabled to ensure physical distancing, and posters are placed wherever there’s empty wall space. “We are also like den mothers,” says Cmre Brand. “Some of these members left home when they were 18 immediately to join the military.” They’ve been known to lend an ear and give advice to their young wards. Both have worked for the Commissionaires for years – Cmre Brand for eight years with a little over a year at Nelles Block, and Cmre Becker for 12 years, six at the Naden accommodation centre. Before this work, they both had other careers; Cmre Brand was a car business service manager, and Cmre Becker was a nurse. His wife is also a nurse, so he understands her long work hours and COVID-19 protocols to keep their...

[caption id="attachment_23324" align="alignnone" width="591"] LS Seunghee Ryu prepares a creole sauce on board HMCS Calgary.[/caption]Lt(N) Greg Menzies, HMCS Calgary Public Affairs OfficerHard work, exceptional skills, and many achievements recently earned Leading Seaman Seunghee Ryu the title Canadian Fleet Pacific 2019 Sailor of the Year. The award recognizes the accomplishments of junior sailors in a positive and meaningful way and considers their professionalism, dress and deportment, job performance, volunteer and community service, and other achievements.For eight years she has been honing her skills as a cook. “Being a cook is one of the most satisfying jobs in the Royal Canadian Navy because of how it affects the morale of my shipmates,” said LS Ryu, currently a cook on board HMCS Calgary. She developed a taste for the trade from her parents who opened two restaurants after immigrating to Canada from Seoul, South Korea, in 2006.She has sailed in HMC Ships Vancouver, Nanaimo, Saskatoon, Whitehorse, and Yellowknife, as well as the Orca Class Patrol Craft Training Vessels before being posted to Calgary in 2018. She accumulated 437 sea days during her time in these ships and has been on three deployments.During a brief shore posting, she was employed in a leadership role at the Wardroom where she cooked for the Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific and was responsible for catering and managing the main dining hall.  Her hard work and dedication got the attention of her supervisors who nominated her to attend the 75th Anniversary of D-Day in Courseulles-Sur-Mer, France, in June 2019.“I consider every moment in the Royal Canadian Navy to be the highlight of my career. If all the people I had met and worked with weren’t around, I would never have had such an amazing journey so far. I am grateful and thankful for all of this.”During Calgary’s Basic Single Ship Readiness Training program last summer, LS Ryu received the Sea Training (Pacific) Commanding Officer’s coin for an outstanding job.  During Calgary’s Intermediate Multi-Ship Readiness Training program last fall, the entire...

[caption id="attachment_23300" align="alignnone" width="591"] LCdr Lorraine Sammut, HMCS Calgary Executive Officer, hands a package to a crew member. Photo by Corporal Jay Naples, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]SLt Joshua Ehnisz, MARPAC PA OfficeCare packages help connect deployed sailors to their loved ones on shore. Two weeks ago, a large delivery was made to HMCS Calgary, HMCS Regina, and HMCS Brandon, all currently deployed off Vancouver Island. Letters and parcels brimming with eatable goodies were delivered through the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre care package program. Special protocols were in place to ensure sailors remain COVID-19 free, including packaging instructions and a three-day hold before mail is distributed. "Esquimalt MFRC supports families experiencing the deployment of their loved one,” said Jackie Carlé, MFRC Executive Director. “One of our more popular services is being a drop off point for morale mail. The Fleet Mail Office picks up the parcels from us, screens them, and ensures delivery to the ship. This mail drop off was a little unique due to the COVID-19 crisis and Operation Laser directives. Families were so grateful for the opportunity to put together care packages and we love hearing about how these packages raise morale.”To learn more about deployment services and future morale mail drop offs connect with the MFRC or join a deployed warship’s Family Network – all info available at www.esquimaltmfrc.com

[caption id="attachment_23319" align="alignnone" width="591"] LS Evan Hodgson, a Naval Communicator in HMCS Nanaimo, studies Managerial Accounting while at sea. Photo by Capt Lisa Evong, HMCS Nanaimo Public Affairs Officer[/caption]By Captain Lisa Evong, HMCS Nanaimo PAO ~Leading Seaman Evan Hodgson is currently working on his post-secondary studies while serving in HMCS Nanaimo.The Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel was deployed on Operation Caribbe  earlier this year and is now off the coast of Vancouver Island as a part of Operation Laser.It’s a tricky balance between his work as a Naval Communicator and his homework. He is enrolled in a Bachelor of Business Administration program at Yorkville University as a full-time student.“Yorkville University has a great relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and is aware of the challenges some CAF members face due to unusual work environments and schedules,” he said. The university offers Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition that allow military work experience and courses to count towards university credits. It also has a special deployment policy that allows CAF students to work around their hectic operational tempo. Internet connectivity at sea is not always a guarantee. Without a consistent, stable internet connection, LS Hodgson runs the risk of being late with his assignments, papers, and exams. So, he must be very organized and maintain excellent communications with his chain of command, his professors, and peers at the university in case his at-sea schedule delays his schoolwork.He attended university for a year after high school, and then moved to Vancouver Island to undertake a four-year contract with the Naval Reserves.But he didn’t relinquish his civilian studies. In 2018, he joined Yorkville University’s BBA program.He just completed one of his final exams in Managerial Accounting. This is one of three courses he committed to while deployed on Operation Caribbe. He has 14 courses left before graduating...

Caroline Roy, Contributor ~There’s no question, we’re amid a worldwide anxiety epidemic. According to the World Health Organization, one in 13 people globally suffer from anxiety. In the U.S. alone, nearly 40 million people experience an anxiety disorder each year. Of those 40 million, approximately two-thirds are women and eight per cent are children and teenagers. So, it comes as no surprise that many of those struggling with anxiety are looking for support and treatment—including how to reduce anxiety naturally. Everyone experiences stress and anxiety at some point in life, but for too many people it’s becoming the norm. Scary fact: stress and anxiety can be deadly if not addressed.If you grapple with anxiety, you may be wondering: What’s the best way to manage my anxiety? Is medication the only option? Are there ways to naturally reduce anxiety? Fortunately, there’s an entire arsenal of ways you can manage and reduce stress and anxiety. You could also find the best CBD vapes if you want to feel a little better.Today, I’ll dive into the multi-layered topic of anxiety, what your anxiety could be telling you, and arm you with some techniques and support options for the next time it rears its ugly head.But first, let’s talk a bit about what anxiety is, and some of the ways anxiety manifests in the body. What is Anxiety?In simple terms, anxiety is how your body reacts to stress, and it can present with both physical and psychological features. The feeling of anxiety is thought to originate in the amygdala part of the brain that controls many intense emotional responses. Anxiety is your normal, built-in, biological mechanism to put your body on high alert and it prepares you to fight a perceived crisis. However, if it becomes chronic, anxiety can become detrimental and can damage both your mental and physical health. Furthermore, anxiety has...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Fatigued and overworked frontline workers now have a place to rest in-between shifts. Honorary Captain Mandy Farmer, owner of Accent Inns and Hotel Zed, is giving an at-cost rate of $59 per night for essential service workers. A call to the front desk from a nurse three weeks ago shone a light on the need for a safe resting place. “She was on the verge of tears,” said Farmer. “Her co-workers were sleeping in cars because they were terrified of bringing the virus home to their families after a long shift. When we heard there was a need in our community, we acted fast to be able to support our essential services workers on the front lines with a rock-bottom rate.”All five Accent Inns locations in Victoria, Burnaby, Vancouver Airport (Richmond), Kamloops and Kelowna offer the special rate. “Right now, we are asking these people to risk their own health and safety to work with the general public. Accent Inns has always been tightly connected to our communities within B.C. and we know these essential services workers need to be taken care of.”It’s not just hospital staff that can stay at Accent Inns; the offer extends to first responders and grocery store clerks. The hotel design allows a guest to park their car and go straight to their room without having multiple touch points such as hallways and elevators. Cleaning staff adhere to strict cleaning and safety protocols in the workplace to ensure a COVID-19 free environment.The hotel chain has recently partnered with the United Way of Greater Victoria to establish a Hotels for Frontline Workers program. The charitable fund is part of the United Way’s Local Love in a Global Crisis initiative. “After we announced this program, I couldn’t believe how quickly our phone lines lit...

Jon Chabun, MFRC ~The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) to adapt how it does in-person confidential sessions with clients. You can now meet with a MFRC social worker or counsellor virtually using your computer, smartphone, or tablet. “We have taken every precaution to ensure the confidentiality of clients,” said Jackie Carlé, MFRC executive director. “We considered eight platforms and wanted something that was user friendly but could meet our privacy requirements.” The MFRC selected Zoom Business to deliver virtual counselling sessions. Other organizations such as hospitals and clinics use Zoom to connect with clients virtually.  The MFRC will only be using Canadian servers to support sessions, and the service will be compliant with federal and provincial security standards. Each session will use a password to further protect it. “We acknowledge recent concerns on the product but believe going forward this will be the most secure platform for our community,” said Carlé. “Zoom has moved quickly to address security concerns and we have trained our staff to use security best practices.”Smartphone or tablet users can download the Zoom app from the App Store or Google Play. Computer users will receive a prompt to download and install an add-on for their computer.  Clients will then receive meeting invites by email.     The MFRC purchased a Zoom Business account that includes 10 licenses for staff.  The organization also plans to offer virtual meetups of popular groups and shift more of its workshops to an online platform.    For clients to have a good experience with online sessions, the MFRC recommends a few strategies. People should find a distraction-free space in their home with good lighting, use headphones, and limit other internet use in their home during the session.During the pandemic, new and existing clients can book an appointment by...

Base Public AffairsWhile Canada and the world grapple with COVID-19, a solemn reminder of a past globe-spanning struggle that bonds the Royal Canadian Navy and the Township of Esquimalt took place last week.Last Thursday, April 16, marked the 75th anniversary of the sinking of HMCS Esquimalt and the loss of 44 sailors near Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Bangor-class minesweeper succumbed to a torpedo launched by a German U-Boat and became the last Canadian warship lost to enemy action during both the Battle of the Atlantic and the Second World War.  The usual ceremony commemorating the attack, traditionally held at a memorial cairn in the Township of Esquimalt, could not be held this year, so Captain (Navy) Sam Sader, Base Commander, took the time to remember the courage and sacrifice of the ship’s crew. He visited the memorial on the anniversary to lay a wreath on behalf of CFB Esquimalt.“The loss of HMCS Esquimalt in many ways marked the end of the longest campaign of both the Second World War and the Royal Canadian Navy,” said Capt(N) Sader. “The enemy may have won that day but it was the surviving crew of Esquimalt, this country, and the Allies who ultimately triumphed.”The sinking of HMCS Esquimalt and the subsequent ordeal endured by the survivors in the frigid approaches to Halifax Harbour serves as a testament to the tenacity of the human spirit. When the German submarine U-190’s torpedo struck Esquimalt on its starboard quarter, it lost power instantly, preventing any distress signal, and sunk in less than four minutes. As the crew scrambled out to carley floats, most were lightly clothed.Due to the lack of a distress signal and miscommunication, survivors spent six hours, within sight of Halifax, awaited rescuing. Many perished from exposure in the freezing water. Of the 71 men on board, 27 survived after being rescued by HMCS Sarnia.“It is hard to imagine what it was like for those sailors, freezing and yet so close to shore and home, wondering when...

[caption id="attachment_23289" align="alignnone" width="591"] Sergeant Joanna Cisneros from the Royal Westminster Regiment inspect a warehouse in Langley, British Columbia, that will potentially be used to store incoming shipments of Personal Protective Equipment for the Government of Canada. Photo by Pte Daniel Pereira, 39 CBG Public Affairs[/caption]Capt Jeff Manney, Public Affairs Officer, 39 Canadian Brigade Group ~Befitting a period where the extraordinary is the new norm, the call-up of Primary Reservists across the country has reached a telling milestone.The nation-wide activation of Reservists – just under 1,000 in British Columbia alone between the Navy Reserve, 39 Canadian Brigade Group, and the Canadian Rangers – is set to be the largest since the beginning of the Second World War. “The response of our forces to this crisis has been overwhelming, and heartwarming,” says Col Paul Ursich, Commander 39 Canadian Brigade Group, headquartered in Vancouver. “We’ve watched in awe as healthcare providers, first responders, and grocery store clerks have taken up positions on the front lines. I know our Reservists and their Regular Force counterparts are just as eager to step up and do what they can for their fellow Canadians.”Canadian Armed Forces activity in B.C. to date has been confined mostly to planning and preparation, readying forces to respond when either the provincial or federal government makes an official “Request for Assistance.” Complicating the matter is that Reservists in B.C. must juggle any potential response to COVID-19 with their responsibility to support government agencies following natural disasters such as wildfires or floods. “Our COVID-19 response, under Operation Laser, is first and foremost in our sights,” says Col Ursich. “But Mother Nature is only just coming out of hibernation; we’ve got to anticipate that we might need to help fight floods, fires or any other type of natural disaster while we continue to cope with the...

[caption id="attachment_23276" align="alignnone" width="591"] Mead Simon adjusts one of the creations from Mead Simon Chainmail Designs. Simon is a chain-mail artist, jeweler, and fashion designer. Photo credit Shoghi Simon.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Like all business throughout Canada, small business owners in Victoria’s military community are under a healthy dose of financial uncertainty due to COVID-19 and physical distancing measures. While each of them sells a different product and has varying challenges in their home workspace, each remain hopeful their business will survive despite the recent economic slowdown as a result of the global pandemic.Sweetlegs Victoria Naval Cadet Mandy Patzer own SweetlegsVictoria with Mandy, a clothing business that sells high-quality leggings, shirts and accessories. She relies heavily on e-commerce, but her sales have dropped off severely when everyone’s financial security was hit with uncertainty. She recently placed an order for $900 worth of merchandise just prior to the start of physical distancing and stay-at-home measures. Over three weeks later, half the products haven’t been paid and picked. “By the time the shipment came in many people no longer wanted what I had bought for them, and I have been left holding the bag,” she says. “I am not allowed to pre-sell products and this is concerning right now since all of the products I sell are bought and paid for with my own money on promises that people won’t back out.”She is a Regular Force member and is attending the University of Victoria as a member of the Regular Officer Training Program. Classes are now online as she enters her fourth and final year of the program.She has been involved in private clothing sales for over 3 years. She’s confident that despite the initial lull in sales, people in Victoria’s military community will continue to support her business. She is already adjusting and charting a new path forward, likening the situation to the chickens she raises on her property to supplement the family food budget. “It’s all about not putting all your...

2Lt Travis Winship, Contributor ~Despite the reduction of on-site manning around the base, people need to be fed at Nelles Galley.A team of cooks at the mess are doing what they can in this time of COVID-19 to keep the morale up through tasty, healthy food for members that live on base. Food services are essential, and given the physical distancing protection measures put in place, the disruption has affected the sense of normalcy. The constantly evolving situation keeps Cpl Michelle Vissers, Nelles Block shift leader, on her toes, and the entire team is working hard to keep the steam lines open. She runs the floor, which includes passing information up and down the chain of command for operations, and maintenance of the galley. The job revolves around a high stress environment with a constant flow of customers, employee management, paperwork, and much more. Her job is critical in that she is “feeding the members that live on base.”When not at work, she is renovating her home bought last summer by herself and her partner. Since the pandemic, her partner, a service member as well, was recalled back from work in Halifax and has been instructed to self-isolate. This leaves Cpl Vissers to run all the errands while maintaining her work schedule. Even though she follows all the required precautions to stay healthy, she worries that “a careless person can pass germs onto a gas pump, a can of food at the grocery store, anywhere really.” Everyone is aware of the risk of spreading COVID-19 in the workplace, and that is why they collectively take all precautions possible to keep their work space sanitized. After all, food services is a “no fail mission”, she says.

[caption id="attachment_23265" align="alignnone" width="591"] Sub-Lieutenant Jessica Pelletier conducts a proficiency shoot with the C9 rifle. Photo by Capt Lisa Evong, HMCS Nanaimo PAO[/caption]Captain Lisa Evong, HMCS Nanaimo PAO ~Sub-Lieutenant Jessica Pelletier:Rank: NWO, Qualified Bridge WatchkeeperHometown: Matane, QCYears of Service: FourHome Unit: HMCS D’IbervilleThe day Sub-Lieutenant (SLt) Jessica Pelletier arrived at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier for basic training four years ago she was given her first challenge – to learn English. “I was the only French-speaking female; I had to share a room with seven other females that only spoke English. Basic training is all about teamwork and communication, which is harder when you can’t understand each other.” She was born and raised in Matane, on the Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Quebec, population 15,000. Naval Reservists were almost unheard of in her small-town world, and certainly not an immediate career choice. But a chance encounter with a Canadian Forces Recruiting table at a race in neighbouring Amqui presented a path to adventure. She persevered and overcame the language barrier between herself and her English-speaking comrades and completed all her Naval Warfare Officer (NWO) courses.“I succeeded because I kept pushing to understand and learn as much as I could – quitting was not an option.”During the NWO course, officers are taught to manage and coordinate the operations, ensure the safety of the ship’s company, and direct the ship’s movements on behalf of the Commanding Officer. “Some days were harder than others, but I continued thanks to my team. We supported each other and I liked the challenge.”Graduating Naval Warfare Officer Phase IV was a highlight for her because it had a high failure rate. At age 25, she is a qualified Bridge Watchkeeper on board HMCS Nanaimo - as a lookout and a deck officer she is responsible for the safe navigation of the ship....

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~T he veterans who live at Veterans Memorial Lodge have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Only essential visitors are allowed in, which means veterans can feel isolated from their friends and loved ones. “These are challenging times,” said David Cheperdak, President and CEO of Broadmead Care. “Yet we are finding silver linings at every turn. These include opportunities to advance our purpose to build communities where every person can experience wellbeing and happiness through innovation and creative ideas that keep loved ones connected.”To help people stay connected, Broadmead Care staff have launched two new initiatives designed to strengthen their mental health during the COVID-19 crisis.Keep Connected ProgramThe Keep Connected Program encourages loved ones, members of the military, and others who would like to show their support to send messages or video call through Skype or FaceTime. “Response to the Keep Connected program has been enthusiastic,” said Carson Sage, Manager of Volunteer Services and Innovation Activation. “Since launching March 17, we have delivered nearly 700 messages to people living in our homes. The faces of the residents light up when we read them an email, show them pictures, or help them watch a short video from their families. Connecting through FaceTime is equally well received.”To send a message to a veteran or senior at one of Broadmead Care’s care homes, fill out a contact form by visiting their Keep Connected webpage: www.broadmeadcare.com/send-a-message/.Keep Engaged ProgramA second initiative is the Keep Engaged Program, a campaign to raise money for equipment to improve the overall health of residents living with cognitive decline or physical limitations. Money raised will fund multi-sensory equipment to create soothing sounds and music, lighting effects, aromas, and tactile experiences; an expanded gardening program with wheelchair-accessible garden beds, tools, and reaching aids; and activity kits designed to bring back...

[caption id="attachment_23251" align="alignnone" width="591"] Lt(N) Sean Milley with his family.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A cancer survivor from CFB Esquimalt has established a peer support network for military members and their families coping with their own fight against cancer. Onward was launched earlier this month by Lt(N) Sean Milley, who recovered from testicular cancer in 2017. He beat cancer through early detection and is now helping Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members fighting the disease.“Since I was diagnosed, eight individuals from Victoria and across the country reached out to me with questions about cancer. I know in my situation it certainly helped to have people to talk to, people who have lived through cancer.”The support network is a members-only Facebook Page that provides informal support to those undergoing treatment and those who have overcome it. Within two weeks of its launch, 15 people have joined. The plan is to grow Onward across Canada’s military community to let people know there is someone to talk to, that there is hope, and a path forward. “We are not here to provide medical advice; our aim is to provide informal help to those battling cancer, to help them gain access to existing supports,” said Lt(N) Milley.  “It is a place to ask questions, share stories, and a place to get information about the benefits available to them and their family.” Lt(N) Milley is the Flag Lieutenant for Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific. His recovery story may have been very different if it wasn’t for early detection. Discomfort in his testicles gradually evolved into a pain so severe it was like someone had kicked him, he says. He immediately made an appointment at the base health clinic and was given an ultrasound scan. Test results revealed testicular cancer. “It was a type of cancer that was very volatile and would have given fast transmission to the rest of the body. If you notice something is not right with your body get it checked out. For...

[caption id="attachment_23234" align="alignnone" width="591"] CPO1 Lucie Simpson talks to three women on parade.[/caption] Courtesy the Maple Leaf ~“To see a woman in a senior leadership position is a celebration, a testimony that it is possible.”These words from Chief Petty Officer First Class (CPO1) Lucie Simpson highlight the changes that have taken place in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) over the past few years.As more women join the navy, those trailblazers currently in senior positions have learned how crucial it is to engage, empower and mentor their younger colleagues.“Leadership starts by its own actions, so we need to lead and teach women by showing them the best example and impacting them early in their careers,” says CPO1 Simpson, Canadian Forces Health Services Group Chief Warrant Officer. “Being honest right from the beginning – that joining the RCN will be hard work – but just as rewarding. In recent years, breaking the barriers, women have been highly successful in leadership team roles both ashore and on board ships.”In fact, nine current female CPO1s, the navy’s highest rank of non-commissioned officer, have a total of 263 years of service and 10,050 sea days in the Royal Canadian Navy. They have served as coxswains aboard maritime coastal defence vessels and Canadian patrol frigates, worked in both the Regular and Reserve Forces in wide-ranging trades, and have held leadership positions in shore-based establishments.CPO1 Simpson, a communicator research operator, is the first woman in her trade to serve beyond the formation level. She joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1989. She was posted to Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Huron and Algonquin as a cryptologic direct support element operator, and deployed in HMCS Ottawa for a six-month deployment to Southwest Asia. Her current job is her second senior appointment position; she also served as the Canadian Forces...