A Hundred Years of Naval Service Captured in Ice

The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), Rear Admiral Nigel Greenwood, Assistant Chief of the Maritime Staff and Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the National Capital Commission (NCC), honoured the Centennial of Canada’s Navy by illuminating an ice replica of HMCS Sackville as part of Winterlude 2010.

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.

“The victories we have achieved over the years would not have been possible without the tens of thousands of sailors who left the comforts of home and put out to sea,” said Minister Blackburn. “Their contributions, their courage were every bit as remarkable. Every bit as crucial to the history of our country.”

The Canadian Naval Centennial aims to build and strengthen Canadians’ appreciation for our Navy from sea to sea to sea, and to promote the Navy’s role within the Canadian Forces. The “Bring the Navy to Canadians” theme will see events across the country intended to honour the past and to remember those who gave their lives at sea, to showcase the current Navy and to reinforce the requirement for the Navy in the future.

“During this edition of Winterlude, we are pleased to have the opportunity to celebrate the Canadian Navy’s Centennial,” said Marie Lemay. “This ice sculpture, a replica of the HMCS Sackville, highlights the accomplishments of those who have served, and continue to serve Canada.”

The ice sculpture is located at “Rogers Crystal Garden” in Confederation Park, downtown Ottawa. 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.

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