After its stop at FDU(P) it had been introduced to 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron for another viewing. Later in the afternoon the visit was made by the cup in 442 Squadron to CFB Comox to get a visit with personnel and staff. Vancouver businessman Daniel Whittle, a former ship diver with the Naval Reserves during the early 1980s, spearhead the cup's trip to the bottom and insisted that it make a trip across Esquimalt Harbour into Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) (FDU(P)).
He's also part of the B.C. Lions group called the'Waterboys' who encourage the CFL team through community relations efforts. He was visibly excited by its own arrival and exclaimed"wow" because the trophy's handler Jeff McWhinney, dressed in a suit and white gloves, declared"
This is, the champion's chalice" while carefully handing it to Capt(N) Boyd. The cup came at the bottom on the morning of Oct. 2 with its first stop at the Base Commander's Office. Captain (Navy) Jason Boyd, from Rosetown, Sask, was decked out in his Saskatchewan Roughriders jersey. Lieutenant-Commander Rick Kappel, Commanding Officer FDU(P), is a life-long Edmonton Eskimos enthusiast and said with the Grey Cup in their own presence was a true"privilege" for he and the rest of the FDU members. He noted their trip was highly educational because it highlighted the essential links between the army and the Grey Cup while thanking McWhinney and Whittle because of their attempts.
"It was a tremendous thrill and honor to host, and also hold, such a legendary bit of Canadian history," said Capt(N) Boyd. "I can't believe I got to get a Grey Cup moment both as a Riders fan and a part of the Canadian Armed Forces." "He [Nicklin] was first-class and one of the guys who made a difference in the war; you're all represented by this trophy," explained McWhinney.
Later in the afternoon that the cup went to public display at also the Dockyard Gym and the Naden Drill Shed at which CFL fans of all stripes could observe the trophy and choose selfies. McWhinney said several foundation employees showed up with their own families wearing hats and jerseys of their favourite teams. Along with the other'Keeper of The Cup' Jason Ryan, travel the country showing off the trophy on behalf of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame.
The cup's trip to Esquimalt was made possible by Canada Company, a non-profit that provides scholarships by suicide attributed to military service or to the children of military members that died on duty. "This really is an outstanding time for the Fleet Diving Unit and for me personally," said Whittle. "I did my first ship diver courses here in 1981 and it seems good to bring the cup home to share with today's sailors at the area where I essentially became a man.
It's a terrific way to show some regard into the device, and I'm glad we have the chance to achieve that." Including Winnipeg Blue Bomber Jeff Nicklin and Grey Cup winner. German fire in 1945 served with the Royal Winnipeg Riffles and killed him during the Battle of the Bulge. Last week, the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup trophy made a trip giving a chance to football fans at the bottom.
Before seeing divers the Cup and members Control School heard some heart-felt opening remarks from McWhinney about its strong ties along with the cup to the army of Canada. He highlighted that soldiers, sailors and air men who played in the CFL fought and died during the First and Second World Wars for Canada. "Visiting the foundation was made this a magical experience for a lot of and there were some who said they'd direct family and personal ties to the cup, including one sailor whose dad played a Grey Cup winning team," said McWhinney.
