Photo: Frigate HMCS Swansea. January 1944. Library and Archives Canada/PA-107941
Veterans Affairs Canada News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2009 Canada Remembers the Battle of the Atlantic Ottawa - The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, issued the following statement today regarding the 66th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. The Battle of the Atlantic was a battle unlike any other of the Second World War. For six long years, brave Canadians courageously fought to protect the crucial supply lines to Great Britain and the European Front. Without these supplies, the war effort would have collapsed. Sixty-six years ago, in May 1943, the battle turned significantly in favour of the Allies after receiving more training, air cover, special intelligence and better equipment. However, victory was not without sacrifice. More than 4,600 courageous service men and women from the Canadian Merchant Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force died at sea during the Battle of the Atlantic. Through six years of enemy attacks and severe conditions, the Canadians protected Allied convoys and our national coastline. Canada became the guardian of those in need, and today we continue this noble tradition. The Canadian Forces now serving in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the world are proudly upholding our tradition of defending freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Today we honour those who served over the turbulent waters of the Atlantic Ocean. We remember, with everlasting gratitude, those who made the supreme sacrifice-those whose final resting places cannot be marked by graves. Lest we forget. For more information on Canadas contribution in the Battle of the Atlantic, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site at www.vac-acc.gc.ca.
This story was sent to me by a reader Ed Oursien of Miramachi.
Anyone who has served on ship out of Halifax can attest to sometimes very severe weather conditions in the North Atlantic, being under the threat of attack from enemy forces during that time must have been pure hell. I'm reminded of a story (anyone who has ever been in uniform ALWAYS has a story), this story came from a fellow Spud-Islander named Brian E. who served on ship in Halifax in the late 80s and early 90s. He went home to his eastern-PEI town for Remembrance Day Ceremonies one year and had a great time with all the Vets at the Legion after the Parade and Wreath laying ceremonies. One old(er) Vet told the story about serving on ship during WWII and how his ship was torpedoed by a U-Boat and how they were barely able to limp back into port. The ship that gentleman had served on, the name had been re-used on a newer ship that was, at the time, stationed out of Halifax. So, Brian (even though it wasn't the ship he was serving on) went over to that ship and picked up a ball cap with the ship's name on it and took it home with him on Christmas leave. Down to the Legion he went, found the old(er) gentleman (not old, but older) and presented to him the ball cap proudly bearing the name of the ship that he had served on during WWII. I guess the Vet was in tears because he now had a momento to be proudly worn on a daily basis. Now, Brian did say that he did not buy a drink for the rest of the day while at the Legion because this Vet's friends kept buying rounds for him, but he said that he didn't do it for the free drinks, he did it because it felt like the right thing to do. Through the years, I'm sure that there have been many people who've complained or nagged about those old guys down at the Legion, but those of us who have worn or are wearing the uniform respect those gentlemen (and gentlewomen) who have done so much for us in conflicts past. Roger Smallman Ste Catharines
On this special Naval day of Remembrance please pray for all souls lost at sea. Our past and present sailors put themselves in Harms way in Defence of Canada, Canadians, and our Values.
Nil Sine LAbore
Robby
