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For Harrigan, it was an honour to be escorting The Prince for the
third time during his career, and it was also a chance to show how
grateful he was for Charles’s indirect help in moving towards a new
life after his military career ended.
Lt Harrigan has served with the Canadian Forces in the Persian
Gulf, Afghanistan and Haiti, and is one of nearly 400 people who
have taken part in Operation Entrepreneur, an initiative of
Charles’s Canadian charity.
The fact that Charles is interested in helping retired servicemen
and women is not a great surprise. Prince Charles has always shown
an interest in aiding those ex-service personnel from the
Royal Navy, and Charles even did some of his naval training at CFB
Gagetown in New Brinswick in 1975.
The Operation Entrepreneur programme run by The Prince’s Charities
Canada aims to help military personnel make the transition to
civilian life by helping those who want to start their own
business. Lt Harrigan said: “I don’t think a lot of military
members realise that they are in fact, or have, the entrepreneurial
spirit, I think it’s very cool that Prince Charles does this”.
Harrigan was one of many who took part in a week long business boot
camp, where he began a website selling dog leashes composed of
intricate naval knots.
Gino Savard is another military member who has benefited from
Operation Entrepreneur. Having served for 27 years, his last day of
military service is on Thursday. Savard says that his transition is
happening very smoothly, and that his new business is also doing
very well. He has four hybrid vehicles for a personalised delivery
operation that focuses on parcels of less than 30 kilograms.
Operation Entrepreneur is just one of a number of initiatives that
is offered by The Prince’s Charities Canada.
News of the business ‘wings’ comes as Prince Charles and The
Duchess of Cornwall conclude the second day of their 2014 Canada
tour.
Photo credit: Defence Images via photopin
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