In an emotional full-circle moment, Retired Vice-Admiral Nigel Brodeur spoke at the unveiling of a Canadian Naval Services monument commemorating its creation by his grandfather, Louis-Phillipe Brodeur, in 1910.
The following year the Canadian Naval Service became the Royal Canadian Navy and May 4 marked the 108th anniversary of the day.
| A Canadian Naval Services monument was unveiled Friday dedicated to the creation of the Canadian Naval Service in 1910. Nicole Crescenzi/VICTORIA NEWS |
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice to see the commemoration of the navy from the beginning,B次元官网网址� Brodeur said Friday at the Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum.
B次元官网网址淰ery often one hears a lot of the battle of the Atlantic, but less about the earliest years of the navy, what a challenge it was to form a navy and how important it is to continue that navy,B次元官网网址� he added.
B次元官网网址淭o strengthen it, retain the blue water capability and how all Canadians can be proud of those who serve the Royal Canadian Navy nowadays.B次元官网网址�
BrodeurB次元官网网址檚 grandfather became the first Minister of the Naval Service, but went on to become Speaker of the House of Commons and a Supreme Court judge.
BrodeurB次元官网网址檚 father, Rear-Admiral Victor Brodeur, was one of the first six officer-cadets in CanadaB次元官网网址檚 navy and served as the Commanding Officer Pacific Coast during the Second World War. He was also the first French-speaking Quebecer to reach the rank of rear-admiral and is the namesake of EsquimaltB次元官网网址檚 French first language school, LB次元官网网址檈cole Victor-Brodeur.
Nigel Brodeur had a decorated 38-year career, rising through the ranks during postings to Halifax and Ottawa before being promoted to vice-admiral and later named Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff before retiring in 1987.
Students from pose with Vice Admiral (retired) Nigel Brodeur, whose father is the namesake of their school. Vadm Brodeur spoke today at the unveiling of a monument commemorating the establishment of the Canadian Naval Service in 1910
B次元官网网址� Victoria B次元官网网址 (@VictoriaB次元官网网址)
The Brodeur familyB次元官网网址檚 naval legacy returned to the beginning with the unveiling of the plaque.
B次元官网网址淚 congratulate everyone involved in producing this impressive monument,B次元官网网址� Nigel said. B次元官网网址淚 wish them every success and wish the same to the museum staff, which happens to reside in the ancient Base CommanderB次元官网网址檚 residence where I first lived following my birth in 1932.B次元官网网址�
When asked what itB次元官网网址檚 been like having such a family legacy, and then living up to that, Brodeur was moved to tears.
B次元官网网址淲ell, itB次元官网网址檚 an obligation which never leaves anyone who has had the honour of serving, and of having members of the Royal Canadian Navy serve with and under them. That obligation lives with you all your life,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址滿y father, when he was asked in an interview by CBC many years back, if he would do it all over again B次元官网网址� he answered, B次元官网网址榣ike a shot!B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Brodeur paused with emotion. B次元官网网址淚 loved every moment of it and I would gladly do it again.B次元官网网址�
