I presented a painting I did of the HMCS Halifax’s ship bell to Commander Josee Kurtz on Friday Jan.28,2011.

She was a very gracious host.  I was honored to spend some time with someone I greatly admired.  She was thrilled to receive the painting and couldn’t resist being a “Mom” by showing me a colorful drawing her young daughter did for her.  Hmm … the drawing did show great promise.

Commander Josee Kurtz took on a historic role for the Canadian navy as the first woman to command one of the country’s major warships.  She took command of HMCS HALIFAX on 6 April 2009 and only nine months later arrived in Jacmel on the south coast of the earthquake stricken country of Haiti in January 2010 on a  mission of relief and humanitarian aid.  Here at home in Halifax Commander Josee Kurtz  lead the ship during the Canadian Naval Centennial.

I had the pleasure of being on board HMCS Halifax in August 2009 for a Family Sail event.  The ship’s bell caught my eye and I took some photos.

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