OTTAWA – The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs, Rear- Admiral Nigel Greenwood, Assistant Chief of Maritime Staff and Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the National Capital Commission (NCC), will honour the Centennial of Canada’s Navy by illuminating an ice replica of HMCS Sackville at the Rogers Crystal Garden, Confederation Park, Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
As 2010 marks the Canadian Naval Centennial and the Corvette represents the “heart and soul” of the Royal Canadian Navy, the sculpture will feature a recreation of the HMCS Sackville in ice.
HMCS Sackville is the last remaining Flower-class corvette of the more than 120 built in Canada during the Second World War. One of the original members of the famous Barber Pole Group, the Sackville was commissioned in 1941. This group of ships, with its red and white barber pole stripes painted on the funnel, is still represented in our current navy.
“I believe that having an ice sculpture of HMCS Sackville is truly an honour because she is a proud tangible product of the Canadian spirit - built in Canada, by Canadians, for Canadians. The sculpture will not only serve to honour the past, but as recognition of the on-going achievements of the present navy, and a commitment by the navy to the country and to the future. As we mark our centenary, the men and women of the Canadian Navy want Canadians to know we are extremely proud to serve our country and appreciate the support we receive that allows us to do what we do” says Rear-Admiral Greenwood, Assistant Chief of the Maritime Staff.
The Canadian Naval Centennial Project’s aims include a renewed awareness amongst Canadians of the navy and its contributions to Canada during a century of service, as well as the role the navy plays, within the construct of the Canadian Forces, in a maritime nation like Canada.
-30-
Note: News Directors/Editors:
For further information please contact:
Lieutenant (Navy) Wendy Goulet, Canadian Naval Centennial Public Affairs at (819) 997-0706.
Members of the media are asked to arrive by 6:20 p.m.
For more information on Winterlude 2010, visit www.winterlude.gc.ca.
For more information on the Naval Centennial, visit www.navy.forces.gc.ca/centennial.
