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    Peruvian connections aboard George Washington

    LIMA, PERU

    10.12.2015

    Courtesy Story

    USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73)

    By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alex Smedegard
    USS George Washington Public Affairs

    LIMA, Peru - Lt. Santiago Canoalva and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Rodolfo Canoalva are brothers who both serve in the navy; one in the Peruvian navy and the other in the U.S. Navy.

    The two Canoalva brothers reunited for the first time in four months on board USS George Washington (CVN 73) during a media availability and reception Oct. 3 involving senior-Peruvian military and civilian officials.

    “Ever since I was young I wanted to be on a carrier,” said Rodolfo Canoalva. “As I stood there in the hangar bay seeing my U.S. family and my Peruvian family in uniform on the ship, this was the moment I realized I had fulfilled a dream.”

    The opportunity for the two brothers to meet was marked by Washington’s first port visit during her Southern Seas 2015 deployment.

    “I had tears of joy when meeting my brother,” said Canoalva. “Since I was born and raised in Peru this was a journey and a return to a home I left long ago. I’ll always remember this moment at the reception.”

    Capt. Timothy C. Kuehhas, commanding officer of Washington, offered welcoming remarks to begin the reception.

    “The United States and Peruvian navies have a long and storied history of working together, “ said Kuehhas. “The stability throughout the region is directly related to the strength of our alliance and USS George Washington is committed to ensuring our strong partnership continues.”

    U.S. Ambassador to Peru, Brian A. Nichols, agreed and spoke about brotherhood between the nations, and as an example, both brothers were invited to the stage to reunite.

    "I looked out in the crowd and saw flashbacks of my childhood, memories of growing up and it reminded me of my strong navy influence and inspiration,” said Canoalva. “This is when I realized my experience went full circle.”

    Rodolfo Canoalva left his home in Peru when he was 13 years old, but his drive and passion to follow his family’s military service remained strong.

    “My uncle is the Peruvian chief of naval operations and my dad retired as a lieutenant commander in the Peruvian navy,” said Canoalva. “Growing up I was around a lot of Peruvian officers who now have a big influence in navy. A lot of those people, including my uncle, were at the reception.”

    Canoalva’s passion to be in the navy carried with him, even after moving to the U.S. he joined the U.S. Navy in 2012.

    “The Canoalva brothers are the face of a committed enduring partnership between the two nations,” said Kuehhas.

    Washington is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2015 which seeks to enhance interoperability, increase regional stability and build and maintain relationships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.12.2015
    Date Posted: 10.12.2015 18:00
    Story ID: 178716
    Location: LIMA, PE

    Web Views: 57
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN