Courtesy Photo | USS Wasp sailors take a moment to interact with a guard at the Citadel Fortress while...... read more read more
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By Petty Officer 1st Class (SW) Rebekah Adler
USS Wasp Public Affairs
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – With USS Wasp docked in Halifax, Nova Scotia for the Canadian Centennial and International Fleet Review Week, some of its Sailors used their liberty time to learn about the history of the city during a Morale, Welfare and Recreation division sponsored tour of Halifax, June 27.
“I enjoy offering tours to Sailors; they’ve worked very hard over this past year and a half and I feel that they deserve to have maximum liberty time,” said Chief Petty Officer Leon Whaley, a yeoman and MWR’s leading chief petty officer. “The tour gave us the opportunity to learn about the culture and history of the people of Nova Scotia. With this, the Sailors got a chance to take their experiences home to their family and friends and say they’ve done something interesting.”
Halifax, also known as the “Ward of the North” and “City of Trees,” was founded in 1749 by British general and governor, Edward Cornwallis. The city was named in honor of George Montague-Dunk, the second Earl of Halifax.
Noted as being one of the largest natural harbors in the world, Halifax was first used by the British as a military base and supply line. Many residents of Halifax as well as the rest of Nova Scotia speak not only speak French and English, but also Gaelic due to the fact that large numbers Scots first settled the province. Nova Scotia, in fact, is Latin for “New Scotland.”
During the tour, the Wasp sailors explored historic sites such as the Halifax Common, where Pope John Paul II held mass for 100,000 people during his visit in 1984. Other highlights of the tour were King’s College (the oldest university in Canada), Point Pleasant Park, and the Citadel Fortress. Another big stop was Fairview Cemetery, where more than 150 victims who perished in the sinking of the Titanic on April 14, 1912, are buried.
The sailors also visited Saint Mary’s Squire Cemetery, where Halifax resident Col. Robert Ross, who was known for helping British troops try to burn down the White House in Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812, is buried. This is the reason the White House is so named; after it was burned, its walls were white-washed.
The tour’s host, Ken MacGinnis, said he enjoyed the interaction he had with the sailors and feels a strong connection between the U.S. and Canada.
“It’s my pleasure to host some of the crew from the Wasp. I’m interested in their knowledge in our city, as some of them have been here before, and their interest in how Halifax has developed as a city,” said MacGinnis. “I’m especially pleased to have the Sailors here for the 100th anniversary of the Canadian navy. Some of our ships have even come from the U.S. It just cements the bond we have between our countries.”
Some sailors who went on the tour, such as Seaman Faavevela Faase, a machinist mate and fireman, said they felt it added an extra significance to their visit, allowing them to learn facts they would have not known otherwise.
“It’s an awesome tour, and I hope sailors take advantage of the opportunity to do stuff like this,” said Faase. “I wanted to get to know Canada and some its historical aspects during the short time we’re here. It’s good to know history, since its part of what we read on school. Overall, it was a good experience to explore the natural sites and beauty of the city.”
Wasp is currently participating in the Canadian Naval Centennial and International Fleet Review Week 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.
| Date Taken: | 06.27.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.02.2010 08:59 |
| Story ID: | 52281 |
| Location: | HALIFAX, CA |
| Web Views: | 151 |
| Downloads: | 84 |
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