Becky Pettipas will be missing her fiancé more than ever this holiday season.
That’s because her fiancé – Ordinary Seamen Daniel Cox – is away overseas and won’t be home for their youngest son’s first Christmas.
“It’s going to be tough, but we’re going to videotape it (for him),” Pettipas said next to their oldest son Dylan, 6, who just finished signing a large banner in green crayon that will be sent to Cox and his navy crewmates.
Military families gathered in front of Sears at the Halifax Shopping Centre Thursday to sign a banner headed to their loved ones serving on the HMCS Fredericton in Somalia.
A black cloak was removed revealing the quilt-like banner, sectioned into squares and painted with colorful “I love you” and “I miss you” phrases.
The eight-by-four foot holiday banner should be warmly received by the 250 sailors on board the vessel, which steamed out of Halifax harbour on Oct. 25. The banner is expected to arrive in time for Christmas.
“We’re taking it day by day and taking anything that comes one step at a time,” Pettipas said about Cox being away.
This initiative is sponsored by Sears Canada in coordination with the Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services (CFPFSS) and the Halifax Military Family Resource Centre.
Tara Bayne works at the resource centre and said it’s important to have a solid support system for military families.
“We see military families as the strength behind the uniform, they’re a big part of what we do,” she said.
Bayne said families of the Fredericton signed the banner before it made its way to Halifax.
Haligonians were encouraged to add messages in support of the crew and their contributions overseas.
