Dorothy Simpkin - 3/1/2010 1:22:07 PM
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Cdr M.T.J.Kurtz and crew of H.M C.S. Halifax Job well done, God Bless all of you for your work to help the Haitians. We will continue to keep each and everyone of you in our prayers. Laurie & Dorothy Simpkin

A.Robby McRobb - 3/1/2010 10:23:37 AM
Tryon, PEI, Canada
To the crew safe journey home check out todays Military Blog re HMCS Halifax www.theguardian.pe.ca

SANDY FINAMORE - 2/28/2010 4:55:15 PM
Elliot Lake, On, Canada
Hello Matante Kelly ( corporal Kelly MacNutt) Me and my new cousin Grace can't wait for you to come see us so you can meet hims. She is very cute like me. I show the pictures of your big big Bateau to her and she gets very excited. We love you and miss and come home safe and where is Riley? Love you Chloe and Grace

Paul & Flo Kelly - 2/24/2010 11:23:22 AM
Parrsboro, NS,
Happy Birthday, Can't believe they have you duty on your 29th Birthday, but like everyone else you'll have many more of those(29th). Well maybe you got to celebrate prior to today, sounds like you had a great couple of days for R&R. Sure we'll see you when you return, until then have great day, duty and all.

Brenda and Mike Kelly - 2/24/2010 11:14:43 AM
Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
LS Craig Kelly,Happy Birthday! Looking forward to seeing you soon. Have a safe trip home. Congratulations to you and the crew for all you have accomplished in Haiti. Your families and friends are all so proud of you.

Paul Smith - 2/23/2010 5:32:02 PM
, , God's Country
I hope everyone is hangin' in there. GREAT work you've done. HALIFAX continues to make us all proud. Special hello to the connies in kaos corner! Stay safe HALIFAX.

AB Matt Ducey - 2/23/2010 12:57:15 PM
Esquimalt, BC, Canada
Good work guys. Hope all is good on board, enjoy the Bahamas and some well earned time off in Halifax.

CDR M.T.J. Kurtz - 2/23/2010 9:58:08 AM
, ,
With HALIFAX’s mission in Haiti completed, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you, families and friends, for your support during what has been for many a tremendous endeavour and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Through your regular visits to the ship’s website you have followed our relief efforts in Jacmel and your postings to the guest book have strengthened our will to make a difference, in most challenging conditions. Nearly five weeks have passed since we first arrived in Jacmel on the south coast of the earthquake stricken country. In the early days of the mission, the ship’s work parties cleared rubble to allow the flow of relief and humanitarian aid in and around town. In the context of Joint efforts with the other elements of the CF, they enabled the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) by assisting with mechanical and electrical tasks such as the repair of the critical Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Units as well as electrical generators for their clinic’s medical equipment. Working with the Air Component in the area, they cleared trees on the runway approach to allow heavy lift aircraft, carrying essential relief equipment and humanitarian aid, to land. The Force Protection Component enabled the distribution of thousands of meals by the UN’s World Food Program (WFP) at a one of the largest Displaced Persons (DP) camps almost on a daily basis. As the mission evolved, the crew engaged in cooperation with Non-Government Organizations to address sanitation requirements by building a series of latrines as well as platforms to elevate large bladders for gravity fed water distribution systems in hard-hit neighbourhoods and orphanages. These are but a few of many tangible ways in which officers and sailors in HALIFAX brought comfort to the citizens of Jacmel and hope for a brighter future. As I have mentioned before, the commitment and the selflessness of your loved ones in the face of disaster have humbled me greatly and I am proud to have been on this mission with them. They have all been superb shipmates. While there is still much to do in Haiti, we leave confident that its people will continue to receive the assistance they so need. The steady work of our CF colleagues, who remain on mission, will continue to set the stage for and facilitate an eventual transition to the United Nations, to Non-Government Organizations and ultimately to the people of Haiti. Again, thank you for your kind words. We share with you our accomplishments and successes for without your support on the home front we would not have been able to maintain focus on the tasks at hand. I look forward to bringing our ship and your loved ones home safely to Halifax in the days ahead. Your Captain, M.T.J. Kurtz Commander Commanding Officer

Paula Buckle - 2/23/2010 8:28:09 AM
Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada
I want to say thank you to all the crew for not only the great job you have all done in Haiti, but for keeping the website upto date. This website kept all of us family and friends very informed of your progress and daily activities. Also enjoyed the pictures that were posted and profiles of sailors. The contribution you all have made in Haiti will be remembered and appreciated forever. We are all very excited awaiting your return to Halifax.

KASSIDY DZWOLAK - 2/20/2010 8:56:58 AM
Porter's Lake, NS, Canada
This message is for Kevin Dzwolak. We are missing you a lot Daddy and we can't wait until you come home! Sending you lots of hugs and kisses...love Kass and Mom, Tiger & Bailey