Families reunited as Saskatoon, Edmonton return

AB Nicholas DiPersio embraces his partner Chi-Ya (Betty) Su during an Operation Caribbe home-coming ceremony at Dockyard’s Y Jetty on April 29.

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

Hugs, kisses and warm embraces from loved ones greeted sailors disembarking HMC Ships Edmonton and Saskatoon upon their return April 29.

Joining in the welcoming was Minister of National Defence Harjit S. Sajjan and senior military leaders.

The men and women aboard the Kingston-class maritime coastal defence vessels had just completed a six-week deployment on Operation Caribbe, Canada’s ongoing contribution to Operation Martillo, the multinational campaign against transnational criminal organizations in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

“Frankly I haven’t slept very much in the past 24 hours. I am so excited to be home and reunited with my family,” said LCdr Lucas Kenward, Edmonton’s Commanding Officer.

“There is really no better feeling than being on the bridge when you enter the familiar territory of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and you know you are close to home.”

Moments before the two ships arrived, Minister Sajjan, who was visiting the base, took time to meet and greet military personnel and their families. Jody Bacon, wife of HMCS Saskatoon’s Commanding Officer, LCdr Todd Bacon, was pleasantly surprised by the newly appointed minister’s presence.

“Before today I had no idea he was going to be here, so when I turned around and saw him extending his hand and greeting me it really surprised me,” she said. “He walked up and introduced himself to me and it was just great meeting and speaking with him.”

The homecoming was also a special moment for AB Nicholas Di Persio of Edmonton and OS Justin Swance of Saskatoon who were selected in a random draw to perform the traditional First Kiss. OS Swance embraced his partner Brie Sanford while AB DiPersio followed suit sharing a first kiss with his partner Chi-Ya (Betty) Su.