Thursday, December 21, 2006
As you wind down this week, glass of wine in hand and fruit cake by your side, spare a thought for Hawkes Bay Navy Lieutenant Ralph McNabb.
He will spend Christmas day in the Egyptian desert with 25 other New Zealand Defence Force Personnel, carrying out the same duties as he would on any other working day in the military.
Lieutenant McNabb’s role in the Sinai includes co-ordinating and planning the daily work schedule for the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) commander Major General Roberto Martinelli.
The MFO has been in the Sinai since 1981 to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace. Although they have to work, the New Zealand contingent will celebrate the day with presents in the morning and a sit down roast meal in the evening, Lt McNabb said.
Spending time away from family was difficult, he said. “Being away from family goes with the territory of being in the military. None-the-less, I will definitely be ringing home on Christmas Day so I can share a small part of it with my family.”
Lieutenant McNabb was born in Mahia Beach and attended Wairoa College. His parents, brother and sister all live in Wairoa.
New Zealand troops have been involved in the Sinai since the MFO was established. Their primary tasks include driving and escorting convoys and providing driver training and license testing for other MFO personnel.