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Posted on 10/25/2009 1:11:09 PM PDT by Clive
HALIFAX, N.S. - Canada's latest contribution to the war on terrorism and piracy slipped out of Halifax harbour in driving rain Sunday on a six-month deployment to the Middle East.
Before it left, family and friends gathered on the deck and in the helicopter bay of HMCS Fredericton for a couple of hours to bid an emotional farewell to the 245 crew members who won't be returning until next spring.
As Evan and Bianca Entwhistle hugged, their 20-month-old son Finn sandwiched between them, it was hard to distinguish the tears from the rain.
"The sad part with this little guy is how much they change," said Bianca kissing her son on his curly red head.
"He knows when Evan's gone. I don't think in the long term he'll remember this but he'll be talking by the time dad gets home."
Entwhistle said he knows he signed on for the job - this is his third
deployment overseas - but that didin't make it any easier.
"It's the first time I'm doing a trip like this with the little guy and I'm more concerned about how it's going to run back here," he said, acknowledging the help of military support services and what he called "a great circle of friends."
The Fredericton will be integrated into the standing NATO Maritime Group providing security operations in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean until late April.
Cmdr. Steve Waddell said he had a lot to think about as captain of a navy ship about to leave on a lengthy mission.
"I'm thinking about the mission ahead, the weather today, just getting the ship off the wall safely, and about my own family on board," he said.
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(Excerpt) Read more at cnews.canoe.ca ...
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War on terrorism? What war on terrorism? Obama says there is no war on terrorism? How can this be a war on terrorism ?
The men and women of our countries' armed forces know what is their job, however you call it.
(The Fredericton is named after my home town.)
Hopefully they will be able to steer clear of Obama and his foolishness.
The Stalker of the Seas, been on board her. God bless her crew.
Good luck boys. Stay safe.
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