Wasp Sailors and Marines Help Welcome Queen Elizabeth II to Canada

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Christopher Koons, USS Wasp Public Affairs

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (NNS) -- Service members from several nations, including a group of Sailors and Marines from USS Wasp (LHD 1), welcomed Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 28, on the start of their nine-day tour of Canada.

Amidst a drenching downpour of rain, the Wasp service members, along with service members from Britain, Canada, Denmark, and other nations, listened as the Queen praised Canada, of which she is still officially head-of-state, for hosting the event.

"Canadians have built a nation that is widely admired throughout the world," she said. "As Queen of Canada for almost six decades now, my pride in this country remains undimmed. It feels very good to be home."

In introducing Elizabeth, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper paid tribute to the special bond between his country and Great Britain.

"This is your 22nd visit to Canada, and those of us who have seen you on your previous visits here have always cherished those moments," said Harper. "We respect the continuing role the British crown plays in the affairs of our country. To us, it represents the rule of law, freedom, citizenship, duty, and friendship."

For those Wasp Sailors who helped welcome the Queen, it was an event they will remember for the rest of their lives.

"It was pretty amazing to actually see her in person, because that's not something most people get a chance to do every day, especially if you're an American," said Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Ryan Jackson.

For members of the Canadian military who helped coordinate the Queen's visit, seeing it go off without a hitch was a special delight.

"As drill chief for Canadian Forces Base Halifax, I was in charge of training the Canadian royal guard for her visit," said Chief Petty Officer Daniel Rowe of the Canadian Navy. "I helped train them in the appropriate rifle drill, foot drill, and royal protocol. By the time she arrived, they were very well prepared."

For those in the British Royal Navy who were at the Queen's welcoming ceremony, seeing their monarch in person is always a great pleasure.

"I first saw her in 2006 at the International Fleet Review in Portsmouth, England," said Chef Scott Furber of HMS Ark Royal (R07). "I like her along with the rest of the royal family, because when people think of Great Britain, they always first think of the queen."

Darrell Dexter, the premier of Nova Scotia, echoed this sentiment when he looked back upon the role the Queen and her family have played throughout the decades.

"During the darkest days of World War II, she and the royal family helped give the free world a sense of unity when it needed it the most," said Dexter. "For that, we are all forever grateful."

Wasp is currently participating in the Canadian Naval Centennial and International Fleet Review Week (CNC/IFR) that began on June 25 and concludes July 2. Wasp Sailors and Marines, including embarked Carrier Strike Group 2, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, and 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines are participating in various cultural and sporting events during the visit aimed at strengthening relationships and the strong bilateral and multilateral ties shared between the Canadian Navy and its allies.