Media Advisory - Governor General to Attend the National Commemoration of the Battle of the Atlantic

OTTAWA, May 1, 2015 /CNW/ - His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, will mark the 70^th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic—Canada's longest and largest military engagement of the Second World War. The ceremony will be held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, on Sunday, May 3, 2015, at 10:55 a.m. On this occasion, the Governor General will receive the Vice Regal Salute, inspect the veterans contingent and lay a wreath.

"As commander-in-chief of Canada, I will pay tribute to the more than 4,600 courageous service men and women who lost their lives at sea 70 years ago" said His Excellency. "We have a duty to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect freedom and peace during troubling times".

The national commemoration is an annual ceremony that pays tribute to the veterans of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service, Royal Canadian Air Force and the Merchant Navy who served in the battle. For more information on the Battle of the Atlantic, visit www.veterans.gc.ca.

Ceremonial activities begin at 10:10 a.m. Media are requested to arrive at the National War Memorial no later than 9:30 a.m. Media requesting to attend either event are to RSVP with Lt(N) Linda Coleman, Public Affairs Officer, at 613-945-0902, or at [email protected]

SOURCE Government House

Media information: Dominique Collin, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-993-2569, [email protected]; Lt(N) Linda Coleman, Public Affairs Officer, Royal Canadian Navy, Department of National Defence, 613-945-0902, [email protected]; Follow GGDavidJohnston and RideauHall on Facebook and Twitter