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Secretary General Ban Ki-moon thanks the crew of HMCS Athabaskan

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International Stories: Secretary General Ban Ki-moon thanks the crew of HMCS Athabaskan

OTTAWA – Three sailors from HMCS Athabaskan have been personally recognized by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for their efforts in earthquake-stricken Haiti during Canadian Forces’ Operation HESTIA earlier this year.

Lieutenant (Navy) Kyle Sexton, Master Seaman David Leblanc and Petty Officer 2^nd Class Paul Hoveland were largely responsible for the design of three orphanages in Haiti, as well as leading crew members from Athabaskan in the construction of two bunk houses with a kitchen/storage area for each.

“We were honoured to have Mr. Ban onboard,” said Commander Peter Crain, Athabaskan’s Commanding Officer. “The three sailors were nervous but extremely proud that someone of the Secretary General's status would want to meet and thank them for their work. PO2 Hoveland has often said that the Haitian deployment was the highlight of his career.”

Mr. Ban was aboard Athabaskan in New York City May 25, where the ship was alongside to support the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade with a UN reception and to represent Canada during Fleet Week New York 2010. Over 300 guests including Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay, Ambassador John McNee Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN, and Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic Commodore Mark Norman, were on hand to see both HMCS Athabaskan and HMCS Halifax praised for their humanitarian work in Haiti.

“We were delighted to welcome UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon aboard HMCS Athabaskan, one of two Canadian ships dispatched to Haiti immediately following the earthquake of January 12, where she worked to support the humanitarian efforts in the area of Leogane,” said Ambassador McNee. “ We were very pleased that Mr. Ban Ki-moon took the time to particularly recognize and thank Lt(N) Sexton, MS Leblanc and PO2 Hoveland for their distinguished work in Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake, especially for the construction of orphanages for Haitian children.”

Credit: Greg Kessler

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (L) shakes hands with Lieutenant (Navy) Kyle Sexton while Petty Officer 2nd Class Paul Hoveland looks on in the background. Both Canadian sailors were personally recognized for their efforts in earthquake-stricken Haiti during Canadian Forces Operation HESTIA.

Credit: Greg Kessler

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon shakes hands with Master Seaman David Leblanc while onboard HMCS Athabaskan during Fleet Week 2010 in New York City. Master Seaman Leblanc was one of three Canadian sailors personally recognized for their efforts in earthquake-stricken Haiti during Canadian Forces Operation HESTIA.

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