HMCS Brandon visits the Prairies

LCdr Collin Forsberg, HMCS Brandon’s Commanding Officer, presents a cheque for $1,100 to Judy Sieb of Food for Thought, a charity that ensures all school children receive a healthy breakfast. Photo Credit: Lori Truscott, CFB Shilo Public Affairs Officer

LS Sydney Huyghe, HMCS Brandon ~

Far from a traditional port visit, sailors from HMCS Brandon travelled to the middle of Canada to visit their namesake city in late September.

The journey was made by Brandon’s Commanding Officer, LCdr Collin Forsberg, as well as MS Donald Merlo and LS Sydney Huyghe (a native of Manitoba). This was the first namesake city visit for all three sailors.

The first day in Brandon included coffee with a reporter from the Brandon Sun newspaper and serving lunch at the Helping Hand Soup Kitchen. The soup kitchen experience proved to be a rewarding part of the trip for all three sailors, allowing them to represent their ship and the navy while giving back to the community. 

Later that afternoon, the three ship’s representatives visited New Era Elementary School where they spoke to Grade 1/2 split and Grade 5/6 split classes. The students had many interesting and sometimes amusing questions with most of the children having little to no experience with life at sea.

Brandon’s ship’s sponsor, Betty Coleman, accompanied the crew during their second day in the city. Their first stop was the office of Rick Chrest, Mayor of Brandon, a visit that further developed the already close relationship between the city and its ship. 

Afterward, the crew were special guests at a Brandon Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Brandon’s delegation learned how the city’s small business owners are focused on attracting more young people and families.

The crew was also given a tour of the 12th Manitoba Dragoons and 26th Field Regiment Museum. The tour was informative and allowed the two naval reservists in the delegation to better connect with their army counterparts.

Lastly, the crew spoke to Brandon’s local Navy League cadets. They, like the students from New Era School, had many questions about the crew’s seagoing careers.

Overall, it was a great experience for Brandon’s crew to connect with the ship’s namesake community and strengthen the small prairie town’s connection to the Royal Canadian Navy.