THUNDER BAY — It's been 78 years since the end of the Battle of the Atlantic.
The longest continuous campaign of the Second World War, spanning from 1939 to 1945, saw both sides battling for control of the ocean, which was vital to move personnel and supplies.
The service and sacrifices of those who served in the Battle of the Atlantic were commemorated in an annual remembrance ceremony, which was held Sunday at HMCS Griffon.
Cdr. Nathanael Moulson, the commanding officer of HMCS Griffon, described the Battle of the Atlantic as the Royal Canadian Navy's most significant victory.
It also came at a great cost, with 54 sailors who enlisted at the Lakehead having lost their lives during the Second World War.
"I's important to remember that these were real human beings. They had real lives and families," Moulson said. "They had children, parents, nieces and nephews. When we no longer have the presence of veterans, I think the responsibility is that much greater for us to remind everyone that these were real human beings who sacrificed so much."
By the end of the Second World War, Canada had the third-largest Allied Navy.
The ceremony included the roll call of ships, with a bell rung to remember each Royal Canadian Navy ship that was lost during the war.
This year's ceremony coincides with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of naval reserves in Canada, which has a particular significance for Thunder Bay and HMCS Griffon.
"We are the Navy in Thunder Bay. We represent the Navy in Thunder Bay and for all of Northwestern Ontario," Moulson said.
HMCS Griffon member Thayden Little Sobchuk had a family member who served on a ship that had been involved in the Battle of the Atlantic.
"Just him being on the ship and the ship having been in service, that's still a big thing to me," he said. "It means a lot."
"All of the people who have fallen for us to bring us freedom and the people who made it through, I'm glad they made it through and were able to make it back to their families."
For Moulson, while he acknowledged most of the day is focused specifically on the Battle of the Atlantic and those who were lost, he also thinks about those who are currently serving in Canada's armed forces.
There are about 70 sailors at HMCS Griffon who are often deployed all over the world, he said, adding one has just returned from Sudan.
"He took a lot of risk to go there. It was a great sacrifice — he has children and a wife at home," Moulson said. "I think about people like that, that are still willing to make the sacrifice, to take the risk.
"As senior members of the military, the onus is on us to make sure we share those stories and remind Canadians there are people out there defending their values and defending the peace and security that we enjoy."
