PEI

P.E.I. to mark Battle of the Atlantic anniversary

The Battle of the Atlantic, one of the longest battles of the Second World War, will be marked Sunday on Prince Edward Island with a parade and a flag-raising ceremony.

Flag-raising ceremony and parade planned for Sunday

Over 4,200 Canadian sailors, airmen and merchant mariners lost their lives trying to maintain shipping routes linking North America with Europe. (www.rcinet.ca)

The Battle of the Atlantic, one of the longest-lasting battles of the Second World War, will be marked Sunday on Prince Edward Island with a parade and a flag-raising ceremony.

The battle, which involved naval blockades pitting Allied ships and aircraft against German U-boats, warships and planes, began in September 1939, and continued until May 1945.

The flag raising will happen at 9:15 a.m. at 451 Keppoch Rd. in Stratford.

The parade starts at 10:55 at the cenotaph in Cornwall.

Includes widows and family

Robin Alain, a commanding officer with HMCS Queen Charlotte, says this year's ceremonies will also include widows and family members of former navy servicemen.  

"The Battle of the Atlantic for the navy is quite similar to the same feeling that we have for Remembrance Day. It's an important opportunity for the public to come out and to acknowledge the sacrifices that men and women made during World War II, during the Battle of the Atlantic," he said.