THUNDER BAY -- Former sailors who gave their lives in Second World War were honoured during a Saturday celebration.
In memory of the Canadian sailors who risked their lives in both world wars, the Red Duster flag was raised Saturday morning at City Hall for Merchant Navy Veterans Day.
The Merchant Navy played a crucial role in the First and Second World War as they carried desperately needed supplies to Europe and around the world, despite knowing their ships were targets for enemy action.
Every September, Canada celebrates the lives of 12,000 men and women who served in Canada’s Merchant Navy.
“Today, we are honouring those from all the allied countries that were lost in World War II,” said Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans Association Secretary Gene Onchulenko.
“They carried goods for the war effort that sustained Great Britain during the bombing, these merchant vessels carried bauxite, aluminum ore, groceries, ammunition and all kinds of things that were needed to sustain Great Britain.”
Onchulenko added that these sailors played a vital role, but they were at great risks because the vessels were small and they were easy pray for the submarines.
Many of the merchant vessels were torpedoed.
The Paterson Fleet from Thunder Bay led 20 ships to the effort, but they lost ten ships along with 58 sailors who were either captured or didn’t survive.
He said sailor Frank Besignano started the effort to recognize the efforts of the merchant sailors, because they were unrecognized after the war.
“All the credit went to the soldiers,” Onchulenko said. “They had to fight to get some recognition, to get some benefits, and through this effort that’s how we got Canadian Merchant Navy Day.”
Onchulenko added that it’s important to remember what the forces did for Canada.
