Public service announcement - General Public Invited to the Battle of the Atlantic Parade and Commemoration Ceremony in Quebec

QUÉBEC, May 3, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The general public is invited to attend the Battle of the Atlantic parade and commemoration ceremony that will be held at Wharf 21 close to HMCS Montcalm, 170 Dalhousie St. (by the Louise Basin) on Sunday, May 5 at 11:00 a.m.

Each year on the first Sunday in May, Canada and its naval community commemorate those lost at sea in the longest single campaign of the Second World War. Today, the legacy of the Battle of the Atlantic is upheld by those currently serving, pledging themselves "Ready, Aye, Ready" to face today's security challenges with pride and professionalism.

For the occasion, the servicemen and women of Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montcalm, Naval Reserve Headquarters, and Canadian Forces Fleet School Québec, as well as the members of Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Champlain will celebrate their predecessors side by side. The Naval Band of HMCS Montcalm will perform the musical accompaniment to this event. In addition, representatives of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force, veterans of the merchant marine, Navy League Cadets, and other guests, will also take part in this event honouring our naval veterans.

The Battle of the Atlantic was a pivotal struggle during World War II, lasting from September 1939 to May 1945, which was courageously fought by the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Merchant Navy, and the Royal Canadian Air Force. With this success came a high cost. The RCN lost 24 warships and suffered over 2,000 fatalities; the merchant navy lost over 70 ships and over 1,700 fatalities; and the Royal Canadian Air Force lost more than 900 aircrews.

 

SOURCE: ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY

Note to editors/ news directors:
Media are requested to arrive at 10:45 a.m. For more information and to arrange interviews please contact Captain Evelyne Lemire, Public Affairs Officer at 418-694-5560 extension 5369 or by email at [email protected].

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