Media Advisory - Harper Government to Commemorate Merchant Mariners at Battle of the Atlantic Ceremony in Halifax

HALIFAX, May 3, 2013 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie, the Honourable Stephen Greene, Senator for Halifax, will mark the 70^th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic at a wreath-laying ceremony honouring merchant mariners in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Location:	Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
	1675 Lower Water Street
	Halifax, Nova Scotia
Date:	Saturday, May 4, 2013
Arrival Time:	10:45 a.m.

For more information on the Battle of the Atlantic and commemorative events in your area,
please visit veterans.gc.ca.

Note to editors: Although the Battle of the Atlantic was fought from 1939 until 1945, May 1943 has been recognized as the date of the turning point in the battle when the Allied forces finally gained the upper hand and managed to "turn the tide" against the German U-boat threat. However, the battle went on until May 1945 and wasn't over until the last day of the war in Europe (V-E Day). This being said, VAC recognizes the turning point, hence the 70^th anniversary of the battle, in 2013.

SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada

Media inquiries:

Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468

Amanda Kelly
Communications Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
902-426-1707
Cell: 902-401-2895

Jean-Christophe de Le Rue
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649