Sailors of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) are being hailed
for their humanitarian efforts in Vietnam last fall that included the
revitalization of a centre for Agent Orange victims.
On Sept. 27, 2018, 24 sailors from HMCS Calgary and Naval
Replenishment Unit (NRU) Asterix got the ball rolling on an extensive
revitalization project at Social Welfare Centre No. 3 for Agent Orange and
Disadvantaged Children. The work included cleaning, painting, providing new
furniture and toys, and teaching equipment for the centre located in Vietnam’s
coastal city of Da Nang.
Colonel Jeff Drummond, Canadian Defence Attaché
Singapore/Cambodia/Vietnam, facilitated the port visit to Da Nang by HMCS
Calgary and Asterix, who were at the time deployed on Operation Projection. He
acted as an intermediary between the sailors and centre to determine the scope
and tasking of the project. Upon further discussion with the Director, Col
Drummond realized there was more work to do: build additional classrooms for
the children.
He had a conversation with Calgary’s Operation Chief, Chief
Petty Officer Second Class Line Laurendeau that resulted in a quick solution.
CPO2 Laurendeau, who supervised the ship’s outreach programs, offered up money
to pay for supplies to build the classrooms from the ship’s Boomer’s Legacy
funds. She then met with the Director and staff and helped them purchase the
required building materials, while the centre arranged for contractors to
perform the work.
In January, the centre held an inauguration ceremony for the
new classrooms, which was attended by school officials, the Canadian Ambassador
to Vietnam Deborah Paul and embassy staff members. A plaque above the entrance
to the classrooms unveiled at the ceremony pays tribute to sailors of the RCN
and Boomers Legacy.
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