6,800 yard par 72 course or 9 hole par 3 executive course, the effect will be the same— a premium golf experience that surpasses your greatest expectations. It will challenge the best and promises to reward all. The distinguished Georgian-style Clubhouse offers panoramic views of the 9th & 18th greens as well as beautiful Sandy Lake. 
Glen Arbour Golf Course
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Maritime Forces Atlantic: A History of Heritage
By Lynne Wells
In light of its contributions made to Halifax and surrounding communities over the past 100 years, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce has named the Canadian Navy its ‘Person’ of the Year for 2010. The Navy, which celebrates its 100th anniversary on May 4, has been an integral part of the city since it’s founding in 1910.Of course, Halifax has a much longer standing naval tradition, as the city was founded in 1749 with 2,500 settlers to give British army and naval forces a base in the New World to counteract a French presence at Louisbourg. Now, Halifax is home to Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT). The East Coast fleet has 10 major warships, two submarines and six coastal defence vessels. The navy’s other homeport, Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) is in Esquimalt, British Columbia. These bases manage all aspects of fleet maintenance, training and manning, while maintaining the fleet at optimal readiness for deployment as the Canadian Forces and the federal government see fit.
“As Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic, I am deeply honored the Halifax Chamber of Commerce has chosen the Canadian Navy for special recognition in 2010,” says Rear Admiral Paul Maddison, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic.
“The men and women of Maritime Forces Atlantic, uniformed and civilian alike, do much more than just serve in the Halifax Regional Municipality,” Madison adds. “This is their home, where they raise their children, volunteer their free time, invest in the future and add value across the community.
“Halifax Regional Municipality is better for the contribution our people make everyday and our families are better for the privilege of living in such a supportive and generous community. This relationship is truly win-win and provides the model for civil-military relations across Canada.”
MARLANT is the single largest naval presence in Canada and includes all military installations and facilities within Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). It includes the HMC Dockyards, Willow Park, Shannon Park, Windsor Park, Stadacona, 12 Wing Shearwater, The Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot Bedford (commonly called the Bedford Magazine), the Bedford Rifle Range, a damage control school near Purcell’s Cove and naval radio stations in both Newport Corner and Mill Cove.
MARLANT currently employs approximately 7,500 people, 5,350 of which are members of the Canadian Forces, including 5,000 regular force members and 350 reservists. The remaining 2,150 are civilian employees. As part of the Canadian Forces (CF), and falling under the Department of National Defence (DND), the Navy’s impact on HRM is huge. In total, there are 10,000 DND/CF personnel (Navy, Army, Air Force) in HRM, having a total direct impact of $700 million on the local economy. The economic impact on Nova Scotia is higher, taking into consider other CF bases around the province. DND is the largest single employer in the province and accounts for 3.5 per cent of GDP.
Since its inception in 1910, almost 250,000 men and women have served in the Navy and Canada has put almost 1,000 ships to sea. Sailors have come from every province and territory, yet recruiting for the Navy can be difficult.
Major Paul Doucette, Maritime Forces Atlantic Public Affairs says many Canadians, especially those in land-locked areas of the country, are generally unaware of Canada’s reliance on the sea for trade and commerce and the importance of the Navy’s role in protecting the free flow of commercial traffic.
Doucette reports that recent polls have shown public support for the Canadian Forces continues to be high at 80 per cent, but specific awareness of the Navy remains relatively low with just over 30 per cent of Canadians having some knowledge of their Navy.
“This is sometimes referred to as ‘Maritime blindness’,” he says. “The work of their Navy is out of sight and out of mind. Canadians simply aren’t exposed to our state-of-the-art warships or the specific opportunities that exist in the Navy for learning, training and working with high-tech electronic, computer and mechanical equipment.”
Here in Nova Scotia, our awareness of the Navy and its work is perhaps higher and something of a naval career
tradition in families can be seen. The Wood family, with three generations of sailors, is an example. Douglas Wood (CPO), now retired, is very proud of his son Chief Petty Officer Stephen Wood, an instructor at Stadacona, and his grandsons, Leading Seaman Michael Wood and Ordinary Seaman Ryan Wood, both serving as boatswains aboard the HMSC Fredericton.
“It’s good life,” Wood says. “The military looks after you.” His grandson, Ordinary Seaman Ryan Wood, agrees with him. “I saw the life they gave us growing up and I wanted that for my kids too,” Ryan says.
“It was a no brainer to join the Navy.” Since the British established the first shipyard (the King’s Yard) on the
Halifax Harbour waterfront in 1759, the city has enjoyed prosperity through its ocean links. After a period of robust trade with Europe and New England began to slow down by the second half of the 19th century, the city was forced to develop other sectors for economic survival, but the harbor came to the forefront again during both World Wars, when Halifax acted as an important naval base and trade link for war-torn Europe.
Doucette says, “Canada’s Navy enjoys a healthy relationship with the people of Halifax, the city always stands behind their sailors as they deploy around the world. Similarly, sailors are actively involved in the local community in a variety of activities.
“We aren’t only a part of the economic community, as an employer and in a partnership with businesses, we’re also deeply rooted in the community in many less visible ways that contribute to the overall fabric and culture of the Atlantic Region.
“Our people and their families sit on school committees, are part of spiritual groups, coach minor sports groups, lead Girl Guide and Scouting Troops and, above all, are just great neighbors. Through their care, compassion, professionalism and dedication, much goodwill is achieved. It’s the extra determination of these people that really counts.”
In recognition of the Navy’s many contributions to both the economy and the community as a whole, HRM Mayor Peter Kelly is encouraging residents to take advantage of the many Navy Centennial events planned for 2010, “to personally thank and salute the Canadian Navy. In May, for example, we’ll pause as always to remember those who fought and won the Battle of the Atlantic. That same month, our Navy will exercise its right to Freedom of the City in Halifax and, a few days later, we’ll applaud as members plant 100 oak saplings in Point Pleasant Park.”
At the beginning of the year, military personnel joined the Mayor and HRM Councillors to ring in the New Year by raising the Naval Centennial Flag on the Grand Parade in downtown Halifax.
In February, Maritime Forces Atlantic, the Black Cultural Society for Nova Scotia and Canada Post celebrated the historic unveiling of a Commemorative Stamp to Honour Petty Officer William Hall, V.C. On 15 February 1859, Petty Officer Hall became the first man of color, the first Nova Scotian and the first sailor to be named a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the British Empire’s highest military honor for bravery in combat.
The distinction was awarded in recognition of his ‘gallant conduct’ in defence of a British garrison in Lucknow, India.
In late June and early July, Haligonians can witness International Fleet Review Week. Approximately 22 foreign ships will be visiting Halifax and it’s anticipated that many of these ships will be open to visitors throughout the week. More than 5,000 sailors are expected take advantage of some good old Maritime hospitality during their visit. On June 29, participating ships will be at anchor in the Bedford Basin/Halifax Harbour and crews from all participating nations will man their ship’s side and pay compliments as the official reviewing party passes by. The last Fleet Review took place in Halifax in 1985.
For a complete list of Centennial events taking place in Nova Scotia, and across Canada, visit www.navy.foces.gc.ca/centennial.
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