Prince Charles recalls his military service at CFB Gagetown as royal tour begins

CFB GAGETOWN, N.B. – Prince Charles and his wife Camilla kicked off their Canadian tour Monday at the same New Brunswick military base where the Duke of Cornwall trained as a military pilot four decades ago.
    
Charles said he was delighted to begin his trip at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, where he flew as a naval helicopter pilot in the 1970s “at an exercise area in the middle of nowhere,” drawing a smattering of laughter from a crowd of about 800.
    
He also extolled the virtues of service to community _ a prominent theme of the royal couple’s visit as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations this year.
    
”The roll call extends from remarkable schoolteachers who, against all the odds, are giving their students the best possible start in life, to senior businessmen and women who are working creatively to share their practical skills and experience with communities who need a bit of help,” he said.
    
“I can only hope their example will inspire others as it inspires me.”
    
Under sunny skies, the royal couple were given a 21-gun salute and welcomed by Gov. Gen. David Johnston, federal Heritage Minister James Moore and Premier David Alward.
    
“The idea of service is important, one with which you are well familiar,” Johnston said.
    
“Like your mother, you have brought hope to people around the world. You have given service new meaning.
    
“We also know that Canada holds a special place in your heart, especially right here at CFB Gagetown … so this must seem somewhat of a homecoming for you.”
    
Charles later presented a Diamond Jubilee Medal to 13-year-old Marshall Howard, who has been raising money for a scholarship in memory of Pte. David Greenslade, a soldier from Saint John, N.B., who died April 8, 2007, while serving in Afghanistan.
    
“It was an honour because I didn’t know about it until an hour before I went on the stage,” Howard said after.
   
Charles also met with soldiers enrolled in the Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur, a program to help soldiers transition to civilian life by training them to start and run a business.
    
Among the people he spoke with was navy Lt. Scott Harrigan of Halifax. The 38-year-old gave Charles a handmade dog leash from his business called Mariner Dog Products.
    
“It’s exactly what I need right now,” Harrigan said of the program.
    
Charles then met with families of military personnel who have died.
    
Later Monday, Charles and Camilla are scheduled to attend a citizenship ceremony for 12 new Canadians _ two for each decade of the Queen’s reign _ and a Victoria Day celebration in Saint John.
    
They will then tour Hazen White-St. Francis School, an elementary school with about 145 students who are predominantly from low-income families, before flying to Toronto in time to view a Victoria Day fireworks display.
    
On Tuesday, the Ontario government will host a reception in the historic Distiller District for the royal couple before Charles visits the Yonge Street Mission.
    
They will depart Toronto on Tuesday evening for Regina. The next day, Charles will have a private audience with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and be treated to a concert by the Regina Symphony Orchestra before the tour concludes.

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