Retired Admiral donates collection of beer steins

Lieutenant (Navy) Eric Dignard, Division Commander, Venture Division, Naval Fleet School (Pacific); and Commander Jeanne Lessard, President Mess Committee, stand with Vice-Admiral (Retired) Nigel Brodeur and Acting Sub-Lieutenant Charles Boyes in the Gun Room at Work Point.

SLt M.X. Déry,  MARPAC PA

Vice-Admiral (Retired) Nigel Brodeur donated beer steins from the early part of his naval career to the Naval Fleet School Pacific’s Gunroom Feb. 23 in hopes of inspiring the Royal Canadian Navy’s future leaders.

Lt(N) Eric Dingnard, Venture Division Commander at Naval Fleet School (Pacific), introduced VAdm (Ret’d) Brodeur by affirming that the Brodeur family “are of great significance to the Royal Canadian Navy.”

The Admiral’s grandfather, Louis-Philippe Brodeur, introduced legislation to create the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) while he was Minister of the Naval Service. His father, Rear-Admiral Victor Brodeur, served in the RCN through both world wars.

VAdm (Ret’d) Nigel Brodeur, followed in his father’s footsteps and served from 1952 until he retired in 1987.

“These mugs, I hope they be put to good use,” he said to a host of Acting Sub-Lieutenants currently undergoing their Naval Warfare Officer courses. “I hope they will give you an indication of the starting out, from lieutenant to captain…Learn all you can. Learn about the sea, learn about other navies.”

While some of the donated steins were departure gifts from ships VAdm (Ret’d) Brodeur served in, others were gifts from friends within the fleet.

After the presentation, the Admiral spoke one-on-one with a few students, curious to know how far along they were in their training.

Acting Sub-Lieutenant Travis Boyko said the steins were a great addition to the Junior Officers Mess.

“I think it re-instilled some life into the Gunroom. I know a lot of people were keen on using them.”

The ceramic steins will be kept on display while the pewter ones can be signed out for use in the Gunroom.