The Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans Association will hold a ceremony to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the Newfoundland Merchant Navy Memorial, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007, at 10 a.m. at the Marine Institute.

Ten years ago this week, merchant navy veterans and their fallen comrades were honoured with the unveiling of this memorial. The memorial contains the names of the ships that sunk in this area and the 333 individuals who gave their lives. The media and the general public are invited to attend.

During the ceremony, 20 of the 333 names which appear on the memorial will be remembered. Ten of these veterans served on Newfoundland registered vessels and ten served on foreign vessel during the Second World War.  

John Ottenheimer, provincial minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, St. John’s Mayor Andy Wells and Memorial President Dr. Axel Meisen will be on hand to honour veterans everywhere as Merchant Navy Veterans Day approaches on September 3, 2007.

A reception will be held in the main lobby of the Marine Institute following the ceremony.

For more information, please contact Stephanie Barrett, public relations and communications officer, Fisheries and Marine Institute,  at (709) 778-0677 / (709) 687-6508,  or stephanie.barrett@mi.mun.ca, or Kimberley Thornhill, educational marketing co-ordinator, (709) 778-0544 / (709) 691-9221, kim.thornhill@mi.mun.ca.