Tradition returns to Battle of the Atlantic ceremony
A large crowd gathered under grey skies in Halifax’s Point Pleasant Park Sunday to mark 77-years since the historic Battle of the Atlantic.
Pomp and circumstance returned for this year’s ceremony after a two-year pandemic hiatus.
It was complete with the Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, dignitaries, and a military fly-pass.
A Cyclone helicopter dropped a wreath just in front of Canada’s oldest warship, HMCS Sackville, as it conducted burials at sea just off-shore.
“Given the fact that we’re a few generations removed now, it is ever important to keep that history here, and make sure it doesn’t get lost in time,” said Master Sailor Kevin Dave.
It’s all part of a long-standing tradition in Halifax, marking the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War — the ships that sank — and the sacrifice of thousands of Canadians.
Throughout the battle from 1939 to 1945, 24 Canadian warships were lost. The human cost — more than 2,700 navy and air force and 1,600 Canadian Merchant Navy personnel died — according to a press release from the navy.
“It was such a huge sacrifice for Canada,” said Rear Admiral Brian Santarpia, the Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic. “And it means a lot to Canadian sailors to understand that we’re part of a legacy.”
After the names of the vessels lost were read, the last post played, and wreaths were laid to honour those who now live on in history.
Officials also paid tribute to Canadians who died in peacetime while deployed far from home.
“For myself, it’s very important,” said Navy veteran Allan Bell. “There’s nine names on there from Kootenay.”
Bell, a survivor of the deadly HMCS Kootenay explosion, says the gesture meant the world to him — a moment for him to think about the past, while war rages in Ukraine.
“The Battle of the Atlantic is still going, isn’t it? The war is over, but the Battle of the Atlantic is not ended. God knows what we’re going into now. We’re going into something.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.