'It's a great day': Families, friends welcome loved-ones from HMCS Charlottetown home after deployment

HMCS Charlottetown: Home for holidays HMCS Charlottetown returns home after a six month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea region.

A group of families and friends gathered at the Jetty NB dockyard in Halifax Friday morning eager to welcome their loved ones home from a six-month deployment.

HMCS Charlottetown returned from deployment in the Mediterranean Sea region.

The ship departed Halifax on June 15 and became the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2.

Throughout the deployment, the ship’s company worked collectively with allied and partner nations in the European maritime domain.

Zachary Lane is a marine technician with HMCS Charlottetown. He says although he’s happy to be home, the change in weather may take some time to adjust to.

“It’s nice coming along Halifax and seeing everyone on the Jetty. Kind of just makes you feel welcome and it’s nice to be here again after a while away. Definitely cold though,” said Zachary.

Zachary and his partner were both on HMCS Charlottetown during this deployment – something he says was a lucky coincidence. He says now that he’s home, he’s looking forward to getting back to his regular life.

“Go home, get takeout, sleep in my own bed and take a shower without shoes on,” Zachary laughed.

Zachary’s parents were on the Jetty to welcome the couple home, something they’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

“We’re very excited. I know they are grown but you’re always a mom and you’re always a dad, so it’s always nice to have them home and close by,” said Erica Lane, Zachary’s mother.

“My husband, Sean here, he is former military, Navy, actually, so he definitely knows the significance of being overseas and some of the dangers that can exist. But we just keep in close contact as much as we can.”

Charles Stuart and his two children also joined the crowd on the waterfront to welcome their wife and mother home.

“It’s been a long six months and we’re super proud of the Charlottetown and what they’ve done. We’re just happy that they’re making it back for Christmas too,” said Charles.

Oliver Stuart says this isn’t the first time he’s welcomed his mom home from deployment.

“She’s been on deployments before … I’m really happy she’s going to be home for Christmas,” he said.

Florence MacArthur, who welcomed her son home Friday, says the special, long-awaited greetings are always nice to be a part of.

“It’s a wonderful time and there’s so many families, you see the young children here welcoming their parents home. It’s a great day.”

MacArthur says she’s always filled with worry when her son is away for work.

“You’re wondering where they’re at. Sometimes there’s no connection with them if they have to go quiet. The Family Military Resource Centre was amazing, they were giving us lots of updates throughout the whole employment and so, yeah, we’re excited,” she said.

Click here to see more pictures of the welcome home.

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