Shipmates, as I prepare for my Commander Royal Canadian Navy (CRCN) 36 pennant to be hauled down and to turn over the watch to CRCN37, Vice-Admiral (VAdm) Craig Baines, you need know that it has truly been the greatest privilege of my lengthy naval career to be your Admiral. Over the past 18 months, and despite unprecedented challenge and tragedy, you have repeatedly proven yourselves as an impressive lot to command – inspiring, storied, professional, compassionate as well as equal parts warrior, diplomat and mental health professional.
Despite a year of unprecedented challenge and tragedy, you have delivered an enviable depth and breadth of successes alongside partners and allies at home and around the globe as you routinely combat crises – man-made and naturally occurring. For this amazing record, I thank each and every one of you – both military and civilian members of our RCN family, of course, but also your families, and those across the extended naval family (comprising sailors, public servants, unions, contractors, industry partners, veterans and families) – that champion, celebrate and enable us. You are all plank-share owners of our successes – for which you have my eternal gratitude. Bravo Zulu and thank you. As always, I need start there: saluting and thanking you and your families for service and sacrifices.
I hope you and yours are well and keeping healthy in what has been an absolutely unprecedented year – a year in which we not only grappled with…
Continue Reading This Article At The Canadian Armed Forces Website
