After sailing 61,000 nautical miles in the last 254 days, Lt. Christopher Weber walked off HMCS Regina to a rapturous welcome at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt. And he knew exactly where he wanted to go first.
“We’re going to stop in for Tim Hortons,” said his wife, Jessica, without hesitation. “That was his request.” Toddler Ava will also be central to the long-awaited reunion.
The lengthy maritime mission, which headed to the Arabian Sea on Jan. 6, caused increased concern for families back home when it was re-deployed to the Mediterranean in April in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, she said.
“It’s been a tough trip,” said Heather Davies, who was reunited with her boyfriend, Leading Seaman Heath Kerr. “It had to be done. I’m so proud of him.”
The tough part over, the naval dockyard was awash with tears, hugs and kissing as 250 crew members were met by hundreds of family members and friends. Excited kids and partners performed a first-time flash mob dance to Best Day of My Life, a massive green Saskatchewan Rough Riders banner rolled down the 130-metre side of the frigate and the Naden Band rocked with Can’t Stop Loving You.
The honour of first hug went to Joan Post, who won a draw to walk up the brow of the frigate to greet her husband, Leading Seaman Case Post. Second up was the family of commanding officer Cmdr. Dan Charlebois, his wife Nancy, and daughters, ages 1 and 4.
Watching the reunion is an amazing and emotional experience, said Rhiannon Porcellato, of Esquimalt’s Military Families Resource Centre. “It just fills you up with pride.”
Master Seaman Kelly Potts, a veteran of more than 20 years, headed off to lunch with wife, Sheila, and exultant stepdaughter Savannah Lee, 9, who was jumping for joy before he arrived.
“I’m happy to get off the ship and put my feet on Canada,” Potts said.
“Oh they’re excited, oh my goodness,” said Carrie Venedam, of Sooke, whose three kids were waiting with her for her husband. “We built a house and moved into the house and he wasn’t here for the move.”
The more than eight months at sea went fast for Randy Ko. Missing his wife Tanya, a chief wardrobe steward, Ko got “a little bit obsessive-compulsive” about a lot of little projects. Not surprisingly, he found “the nights are a little long.” He expected their dog Snoopy to “go spastic” when Tanya gets home, and foresees camping, shopping and checking out all the changes in Colwood together.
Minister of National Defence Rob Nicholson praised the crew’s “swift and capable” response after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and thanked their families for their sacrifices and support. “The memories you share gave them the strength to carry on,” he told the crowd. Nicholson added that Regina’s efforts were central to Canadian leadership in international peace and security.
“Regina’s ability to seamlessly transition from one mission to another is a testament to the capability and professionalism of the Royal Canadian Navy and our Canadian Armed Forces,” he said in a statement.
Along with NATO activities, on March 31, HMCS Regina intercepted a dhow off the east coast of Africa, apprehended 132 kilograms of heroin and destroyed them at sea. The first part of the mission was in support of Operation ARTEMIS — Canada’s role in a multinational task force promoting security in the gulfs of Oman and Aden, the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.
