News Release
March 27, 2007
St. John's Today, the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced a $5,000 contribution to the Crow's Nest Officers' Club and the Naval Officers' Association of Canada. The funds, provided through Veterans Affairs Canada's Partnership Contribution Program, were used to support "The Corvette's Wake," an event held in St. John's in February to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic.
"Veterans Affairs Canada's support of The Corvette's Wake' is just one example of our new government's continuing efforts to honour those who served and died protecting Canadian values," said Minister Hearn. "I am proud of our record of achievement in support of initiatives like this one."
During the Second World War, naval corvettes made frequent trips from St. John's, Newfoundland to Londonderry, Ireland. On February 9, 2007, a delegation of Veterans and dignitaries from Londonderry joined their Canadian counterparts in St. John's to dedicate a specially commissioned ship's bell honouring naval and merchant sailors who lost their lives in the Battle of the Atlantic.
"We were honoured, two years ago, to attend a similar ceremony in Ireland where the North Atlantic Convoy Bell' was consecrated and then brought back to Canada," said John Moyes, Vice President of the Crow's Nest Officers' Club. "The support of Veterans Affairs Canada has enabled us to reciprocate by consecrating the Derry Bell and Shield' for our visiting comrades to take back with them to Ireland."
The Partnership Contribution Program (PCP) provides funding to non-profit groups, educational institutions and other organizations delivering remembrance activities and events. Administered through Veterans Affairs Canada's Canada Remembers Program, contributions are made throughout the year and encompass both national and community-based events.
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Media Enquiries:
Janice Summerby Media Relations Advisor Veterans Affairs Canada (613) 992-7468
John Moyes Vice President Crow's Nest Officers' Club 709-576-6229
All Other Enquiries:information@vac-acc.gc.ca
