Cape Breton Naval Veterans ASSOCIATION

Cape Breton Naval Veterans ASSOCIATION

(Published on May 03, 2015)  Parade marshal Walter Stewart led the way as veterans, members of the Cape Breton Naval Veterans Association, and local cadets took part in a parade commemorating the Battle of the Atlantic, Sunday outside the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion in Sydney -- Laura Jean Grant/Cape Breton Post)

For over 30 years, members of the Cape Breton Naval Veterans Association (CBNVA) have been dedicated to promoting the contributions and sacrifices made by veterans for Canada’s freedom and systems of democracy, to the proud people of Cape Breton Island.

Early in 2015, Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and CEO, Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP), and former President and Founder of the Sydney Harbour Fortifications Restoration Society , and the Chapel Point Society ,  contacted Mr. Clive Hatton, Secretary, CBNVA, to discuss opportunities in honouring our veterans of the Canadian and Allied Merchant Navies, and American Merchant Marines, recognizing their sacrifices and contributions to our freedom, and safeguarding its historical integration into the national and international mosaics of heritage and culture.

As a result of our fruitful discussions, Mr. Hatton, Secretary, CBNVA, made the following statement:

“…I was instructed to express our thanks for your untiring efforts to remember the Allied Merchant Navies of the world through the MNCTP and applaud and endorse your hard work. We wish you great success with your future endeavours and we add that all Merchant Navy seamen everywhere should extend their heartfelt thanks.”

To view the letter of endorsement provided by Mr. Hatton, please select: Message from the Secretary

Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and CEO, MNCTP, replied:

“As a young man, I ventured to Cape Breton Island, and was so taken by Her beauty and grace, that I initiated the full-scale restoration of the Sydney Harbour Fortifications, resulting in the partial restoration of Fort Petrie, and the purchasing of the Chapel Point Battery. Due to tumultuous forces I was forced to leave Cape Breton, but I never stopped fighting for Her.  Now, we are rejoining forces to resurrect this project to ensure that they remain a testament to the reality and consequences of war, and to the indomitable spirit of our veterans.”

The MNCTP is proud that the Allied Merchant Navy Promotions and Commemorative Celebrations (AMNPCC) originated in Cape Breton over 20 years ago, and that we are now promoting this beginning as Project Genesis.  We are also honoured by CBNVA endorsing this initiative.

For additional information on the important role the CBNVA plays for the Island of Cape Breton and for all Canadians, please select:

Letter of Support

Secretary
Clive Hatton
14 – 224 Pitt Street
Sydney Mines, NS
B1V 1S3

Printable Version

10 March 2015

Stéphane Ouellette
President and CEO
Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP)
906 – 470 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON
K1R 7W9

Dear Mr. Ouellette:

Upon receipt of your correspondence detailing your efforts to bring attention to the nearly forgotten members of the Merchant Navy of WWII, who were Britain’s lifeline, I distributed copies of said correspondence to club members at our scheduled meeting today.

I was instructed to express our thanks for your untiring efforts to remember the Allied Merchant Navies of the world through the MNCTP and applaud and endorse your hard work.

We wish you great success with your future endeavours and we add that all Merchant Navy seamen everywhere should extend their heartfelt thanks.

Yours truly,

Clive Hatton
Secretary