Man in Motion visits Base

Acting Sub-Lieutenant Chelsea Howard presents Rick Hansen with some yellow tulips. She did this 25 years ago when she was just two years old.

Twenty-five years after starting his Man in Motion World Tour, Rick Hansen is once again on the road. This time on a tour aptly called Many in Motion.

As part of his 25^th anniversary cross-country tour, Hansen visited CFB Esquimalt last Monday to present a “Difference Maker” medal to an individual who is taking action to change the world. That individual for CFB Esquimalt is PO1 Cliff Rose.

“I felt very honoured, privileged and humbled that a man like Rick Hansen was honouring me,” said PO1 Rose.

As the divisional chief for Canadian Forces members posted to the Joint Personnel Support Unit (JPSU), PO1 Rose coordinates administrative support to all injured and ill members posted to the unit, and provides a setting of unit normalcy and career support. 

“Rick Hansen congratulated me on being the difference maker for CFB Esquimalt and said he was very proud of my work with the ill, sick and injured people on base,” said PO1 Rose. “My wife and kids were there and were proud to see me accept this award.”

Hansen addressed the crowd of invited guests, many from the JPSU. 

“It is an honour and a privilege to see the role the Canadian Forces has played in making a difference. Petty Officer Rose you are one of the shining lights helping people to lead a more meaningful and productive life. I am very proud of the work the men and women of the Canadian Forces do,” he said.

As he wound his way to Victoria, Hansen stopped at many bases and wings to show his support for the Canadian Forces.

His visit to this base was also something special for A/SLt Chelsea Howard – a reunion of sorts. 

She was two-years-old when Hansen visited School District 23 in Kelowna to receive a cheque for $23,000 raised by local school children. After the cheque was presented, a toddler Howard handed him a bouquet of yellow tulips on stage.

When she heard Hansen was visiting the base, she wanted to meet him again with flowers. 

Luckily, she had yellow tulips growing in her garden. 

“I think everything comes full circle,” she said. “It is quite serendipitous that I found myself doing this. I think his is a really worthy cause and I hope that he continues to do this good work for another 25 years.”

Hansen and A/SLt Howard shared a hug when she presented him with a framed photo of them on stage 25 years ago, and, of course, a bouquet of yellow tulips. 

Throughout the event the Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific played interludes of the Rick Hansen theme song Man in Motion.

In 25 years, Hansen’s Man in Motion World Tour raised more than $250 million for spinal cord injury research.

Shelley Lipke, Staff Writer